DNA damage caused by inorganic particulate matter on Raji and HepG2 cell lines exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Epidemiological studies have correlated exposure to ultraviolet-irradiated particulate matter with cardiovascular, respiratory, and lung diseases. This study investigated the DNA damage induced by two major inorganic particulate matter compounds found in diesel exhaust, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, on Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. We found a dose-dependent positive correlation of accumulated DNA damage at concentrations of ammonium nitrate (25 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 200 μg/ml, 400 μg/ml) with ultraviolet exposure (250 J/m(2), 400 J/m(2), 600 J/m(2), 850 J/m(2)), as measured by the comet assay in both cell lines.

Serum detection of thymidine kinase 1 as a means of early detection of lung cancer.

Background: Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a biomarker elevated in several malignancies, including lung cancer. Up-regulation of TK1 is an early event in carcinogenesis and therefore a target for early cancer detection. We have developed a novel Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to detect TK1 in serum.

Mechanics behind breast cancer prevention - focus on obesity, exercise and dietary fat.

Cancer prevention is rapidly emerging as a major strategy to reduce cancer mortality. In the field of breast cancer, significant strides have recently been made in the understanding of underlying preventive mechanisms. Currently, three major strategies have been linked to an increase in breast cancer risk: obesity, lack of physical exercise, and high levels of saturated dietary fat.

Thymidine kinase 1 upregulation is an early event in breast tumor formation.

Prognostic markers play an important role in our understanding of tumors and how to treat them. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1), a proliferation marker involved in DNA repair, has been shown to have independent prognostic potential. This prognostic potential includes the novel concept that upregulation of serum TK1 levels is an early event in cancer development.