Cytogenetic
biomarkers are essential for assessing environmental exposure that can predict adverse human health effects such as cellular damage.
Chromosomal aberrations are the most important cytogenetic end-points successfully used for the
cancer risk assessment of populations occupationally or environmentally exposed to different toxic chemicals. Previous reports suggest that, increased frequency of
chromosomal aberration (CA), in peripheral blood lymphocytes, is a predictor of
cancer.
Arsenic is a paradoxical human
carcinogen,
clastogen and
aneugen. Despite of exposure at similar extent, only 15-20% of individuals show
arsenic induced skin lesions including
Bowen's disease (BD). Previously we have reported the significant increase in CA in the individuals with
arsenic induced skin lesions when compared to individuals without any skin lesions, drinking
arsenic contaminated water at similar extent. Presently, a matched case-control study was performed to examine whether
biomarkers such as
chromosomal aberrations can predict the development of
arsenic induced Bowen's (in situ
carcinoma) diseases.
Chromosomal aberrations (both chromosome and chromatid types) and mitotic index were analyzed from the lymphocytes of 25 cases of Bowen's patient which was compared to matched control from the individuals with
arsenic induced non-cancerous skin lesions such as raindrop pigmentation,
keratosis of palm and sole, hypo and hyper pigmentation.
Chromosomal aberrations/cell, chromosome type aberrations and total percentage of aberrant cells were significantly higher in cases compared to control (p<0.01). These results suggest that
chromosomal aberrations can be used for
cancer risk assessment of the population exposed to
arsenic through
drinking water.