Covalent binding of genotoxic agents to proteins and nucleic acids

To a large extent, initiators of current cancer incidence are unknown. This is due partly to lack of proper variables and low statistical power of epidemiological studies and to difficulties of risk estimation from experimental data. Considering these facts, as well as long latent times of genotoxic effects, monitoring systems aiming at risk prevention should: (1) respond soon after onset of exposure; (2) have sufficiently high power; (3) identify causative agents; and (4) permit risk quantitation. The determination of in-vivo adducts to DNA (the target in most genotoxic effects) and, especially, to blood proteins, fulfils these criteria, since the demonstration of protein adducts is a relevant measure of formation of the corresponding DNA adducts.