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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Cancer-cell Proteomes Derived From Liquid and Solid Tumors
Published on: February 27, 2015
Laboratory probing of oncogenes from human liquid and solid specimens as markers of exposure to toxicants
1Toxicology Laboratory, University Medical Center, Essen, Germany.
Abstract:
Recent discoveries regarding the mechanistic role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer development have opened a new era of molecular diagnosis. It has been observed repeatedly that genetic lesions serve as tumor markers in a broad variety of human cancers. The ras gene family, consisting of three related genes, H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras, acquires transforming activity through amplification or mutation in many tissues. If not all, then most types of human malignancies have been found to contain an altered ras gene. Because the ras oncogenes actively participate in both early and intermediate stages of cancer, several highly specific and sensitive approaches have been introduced to detect these genetic alterations as biomarkers of exposure to carcinogens. There is also mounting evidence that implicate chemical-specific alterations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene detected in most human tumors. Therefore, it seems a reliable laboratory approach to identify both altered p53 and ras genes as biomarkers of human chronic or intermittent exposure to toxicants in a variety of occupational settings.
Insights
Altered ras and p53 genes are reliable biomarkers for detecting carcinogen exposure in occupational settings. These genetic alterations play key roles in cancer development and can be identified through molecular diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Genetic lesions, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, are crucial in cancer development.
- The ras gene family (H-ras, K-ras, N-ras) and the p53 tumor suppressor gene are frequently altered in human malignancies.
- These genetic alterations are implicated in both early and intermediate stages of cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of altered ras and p53 genes as biomarkers for molecular diagnosis.
- To investigate the potential of these genetic alterations as indicators of carcinogen exposure in occupational settings.
Main Methods:
- Detection of genetic alterations in ras oncogenes and the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
- Utilizing sensitive and specific laboratory approaches for biomarker identification.
Main Results:
- Altered ras genes are found in most human cancers, indicating their broad role in tumorigenesis.
- Chemical-specific alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are also prevalent in human tumors.
- These genetic alterations serve as reliable indicators of exposure to toxicants.
Conclusions:
- Altered ras and p53 genes can be reliably identified as biomarkers for chronic or intermittent exposure to toxicants.
- Molecular diagnosis based on these genetic markers offers a new era in understanding cancer development and exposure assessment.
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