Use of the micronucleus assay with exfoliated epithelial cells as a biomarker for monitoring individuals at elevated risk of genetic damage and in chemoprevention trials.
This review summarises the current database on the micronucleus (MN) assay with exfoliated cells (MEC assay) and evaluates the predictive value of this model for the detection of human cancer risks. The MEC test is a cost effective, non-invasive method, in which the formation of MN in exfoliated cells from different organs, such as oral and nasal cavity, bladder, cervix, and oesophagus is used as an endpoint to detect endogenous, lifestyle, occupational and environmental exposures to genotoxins as well as chemoprotection of various compounds in intervention studies. The results suggest that the MN assay might be a useful approach to identify antimutagens which are protective in humans. Based on the comparison of the data from MN experiments with results from epidemiological cancer studies, we conclude that the MEC assay is a useful biomarker for the detection of human cancer risk in organs to which the MEC test can be applied. However, the current data base is not sufficient to draw a firm conclusion on the specificity of this approach.
Majer
B J
BJ
Institute for Cancer Research of the University of Vienna, Environmental Toxicology Group, Borschkegasse 8a, A-1090, Vienna, Austria. bernhard.majer@univie.ac.at
Laky
B
B
Knasmüller
S
S
Kassie
F
F
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012306:Risk
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents