TOX 300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Prostate Cancer, Bioindicator, Xenobiotic
Document Summary
Biomarkers are sensitive early warning indicators of toxicity occurring. Usually molecular, biochemical, physiological or morphological indicators of exposure to, and/or effects of, toxicants. A xenobiotically-induced alteration of cellular or biochemical components, or processes, structures or functions, that is measurable in a biological system or sample (usa national academy of science) Measurable molecular, cellular, histological, physiological or behavioural responses that provide evidence of either exposure to, or effects of, toxicants (janz, 2013) E. g. elevated levels of prostate specific antigen (psa) is a biomarker for prostate cancer. In ecological risk assessment, they collect hair samples and feathers to measure hormone levels as indicators of stress. Molecular initiating event (mie) key events apical (ultimate) response. Mie or molecular biochemical response are used as biomarkers: e. g. an epoxide covalently binding to the dna. Ultimate response can have an effect on growth, reproduction, immune function, teratogenicity, carcinogenesis.
