MOLECULAR BIOMARKERS FOR AFLATOXINS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO HUMAN CANCER PREVENTION

The rapidly expanding understanding of the progressive processes of ca rcinogenesis provides opportunities for the identification of molecula r biological markers reflecting events from exposure through clinical disease. These molecular biological markers can be classified into cat egories of markers of exposure reflecting the dose of toxic agents, ma rkers of effect indicating a biological response to exposure, and mark ers of susceptibility providing information about the inherent sensiti vity of individuals to the toxic agents. By definition some of these m arkers are chemical agent specific, such as a carcinogen-DNA or -prote in adduct, while others are biological process specific, such as the a ltered expression of a gene. This article reviews the development and validation of molecular biomarkers of aflatoxins using experimental an d human population studies. The development of molecular biomarkers fo r aflatoxins is based upon the extensive research database available a bout their metabolism, macromolecular adduct formation, and general me chanisms of action. The long-term goal of the research described in th is paper is the application of aflatoxin biomarkers to the development of preventive interventions in human populations at high risk for liv er cancer.