Better perspectives on use of biological markers in monitoring of lung cancer risk in occupational settings.

Although conventional approaches in cancer epidemiology and prevention have provided a wealth of information, they are seriously limited in their ability to detect and evaluate carcinogenic hazards. However, traditional methods combined with newly developed laboratory procedures provide biological markers of molecular or biochemical events linked to carcinogen exposure and open a new approach to the study of human cancer risk assessment. The goal of the new approach is to identify as precisely as possible specific carcinogenic hazards in the environment, to assess their biologically effective dose and biological effect, and to provide a means of appraising host factors that modify susceptibility. A particular promising new tool of cancer risk assessment is the highly sensitive immunoassay for carcinogen-DNA adducts. These assays may provide a tissue dosimeter of carcinogen exposure. In this paper research studies were mentioned that aimed at assessing the levels of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts and protein adducts, utilizing white blood cells, or tissue specimens obtained from tissue biopsy or autopsy. Another promising method in discovering BAP exposure are levels of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. The potential significance in surveillance and monitoring of aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) has been discussed.