title: Mutagen sensitivity as a marker of cancer risk.
abstract: There are measurable differences, genetically determined, in susceptibility to carcinogenic activity. Variation in metabolism of xenobiotic chemicals is one determinant of susceptibility and is attributed to polymorphisms in a number of enzymes. There may also be a wide spectrum of DNA-repair capability within the population. A peripheral lymphocyte assay has been developed in which in vitro bleomycin-induced chromosome breaks provides an indirect measurement of such repair. Mutagen sensitivity as defined by this assay has been shown to be an independent risk factor for tobacco-related malignancies, especially those of the upper aerodigestive tract. Preliminary data also suggest familial aggregation of cancer in mutagen-sensitive patients. Risk assessment is now recognized as a multidisciplinary process, extending beyond the scope of traditional epidemiologic methodology to include biological evaluation of interindividual differences in carcinogenic susceptibility. These susceptibility markers will enable us to identify high-risk population subgroups that can be targeted for intensive primary and secondary preventive strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Spitz
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000633:toxicity; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004260:DNA Repair; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D001761:Bleomycin; D000431:Ethanol