Warren A J, Shields P G
Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4255, USA.
Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1997 Nov;216(2):172-80. doi: 10.3181/00379727-216-44167.
Molecular epidemiological studies assess individual chemical exposures and genetic susceptibility in order to identify cancer risk. Such studies incorporate the development, application, and validation of biomarkers of cancer risk in order to enhance cancer risk assessments, focus cancer prevention strategies, and elucidate mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Current studies of molecular epidemiology are based upon an understanding of the complex, multistage process of carcinogenesis and interindividual variations in response to carcinogenic exposures. Quantitative methods to measure human exposures to carcinogens continue to improve and have been successfully applied to a number of epidemiological studies. Genetic predispositions to cancer, both inherited and acquired, have been and continue to be identified. The combined approach of associating genetic polymorphisms with carcinogen-DNA adduct measurements, in order to assess cancer risk, is showing considerable promise. It is hoped that, in the future, molecular epidemiologists will be able to develop a risk profile for an individual that includes assessment of multiple biomarkers. The field has the near-term potential to have a significant impact on regulatory quantitative risk assessments, which may aid in the determination of allowable exposures. Molecular epidemiological data may also aid in the identification of individuals who will most benefit by cancer prevention strategies.
分子流行病学研究评估个体的化学物质暴露情况和遗传易感性，以确定癌症风险。此类研究纳入癌症风险生物标志物的开发、应用和验证，以加强癌症风险评估、聚焦癌症预防策略并阐明致癌机制。当前的分子流行病学研究基于对致癌作用复杂多阶段过程以及个体对致癌暴露反应差异的理解。测量人类致癌物暴露的定量方法不断改进，并已成功应用于多项流行病学研究。已确定并将继续确定癌症的遗传易感性，包括遗传的和后天获得的。将基因多态性与致癌物 - DNA加合物测量相关联以评估癌症风险的联合方法显示出巨大潜力。希望未来分子流行病学家能够为个体制定风险概况，包括对多种生物标志物的评估。该领域近期有可能对监管定量风险评估产生重大影响，这可能有助于确定可允许的暴露量。分子流行病学数据还可能有助于识别那些将从癌症预防策略中获益最大的个体。
