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. 1991 Aug;94:135–141. doi: 10.1289/ehp.94-1567966

Human somatic mutation assays as biomarkers of carcinogenesis.

P J Compton 1, K Hooper 1, M T Smith 1
PMCID: PMC1567966  PMID: 1954924

Abstract

This paper describes four assays that detect somatic gene mutations in humans: the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase assay, the glycophorin A assay, the HLA-A assay, and the sickle cell hemoglobin assay. Somatic gene mutation can be considered a biomarker of carcinogenesis, and assays for somatic mutation may assist epidemiologists in studies that attempt to identify factors associated with increased risks of cancer. Practical aspects of the use of these assays are discussed.

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Selected References

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