Premium
Serum levels of pantropic p53 protein and EGF‐receptor, and detection of anti‐p53 antibodies in former uranium miners (SDAG Wismut)
Author(s) -
Schneider Joachim,
Presek Peter,
Braun Alexandra,
Woitowitz HansJoachim
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199912)36:6<602::aid-ajim2>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - lung cancer , medicine , antibody , ionizing radiation , cancer , lung , oncogene , immunology , cancer research , pathology , cell cycle , irradiation , physics , nuclear physics
Abstract Background The oncogene product EGF‐receptor (EGF‐R), the tumor suppressor gene product p53, and anti‐p53 antibodies are detectable in serum of certain cancer patients. Increased levels of some of these products were reported in lung cancer patients after occupational asbestos exposure, after exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or vinyl chloride. This molecular epidemiological study investigated the use of serum EGF‐R, p53‐protein, and anti‐p53 antibodies as biomarkers for detection of effects of radon and its decay products. Methods Serum EGF‐R, p53‐protein, and anti‐53 antibodies were measured using ELISA in former uranium miners of SDAG Wismut without lung disease (n=106) and miners with Schneeberg lung cancer (n=22). They were compared with healthy subjects (n=23), patients with lung cancer not due to ionizing radiation (n=88), and patients with non‐malignant lung or pleural diseases (n=50). Results No significantly elevated or decreased serum values for p53 protein, EGF‐R, or anti‐p53 antibodies could be found. There was no correlation of these with Working Level Months (WLM). Conclusions p53 protein, EGF‐R, or anti‐p53 antibodies in serum are not useful as biomarkers for detection of lung cancer related to ionizing radiation (i.e., Schneeberg lung cancer). Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:602–609, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.