Development of biomarkers of human exposure to carcinogens: the example of DNA-protein cross-links.
Biomarkers are considered to be more biologically informative than traditional methods and less prone to misclassification bias. However, new biomarkers are conceived in experimental laboratories and normally undergo extensive experimental in vitro and in vivo testing, usually without regard as to their potential use in humans. Whereas the epidemiologist had no role in the original development of the basic research idea leading to the initial formulation of a biomarker, the new biomarker or technical modification of an existing one are the product of observations in humans. The results of our field studies on DNA-protein cross-links (DPX) among chromate workers illustrates inherent difficulties in the process of development and validation of biomarkers.
Toniolo
P
P
Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10016, USA.
Taioli
E
E
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000032:analysis*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans
D015415:Biomarkers; D002273:Carcinogens; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins