Nucleoplasmic bridges as a biomarker for genomic instability and predictors for cancer risk

Introduction: Chromosome and nuclear alterations, especially nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) are excellent biomarker to detect short- and long-term genotoxic effects. For that reasons these abnormalities can be reasonably used as biomarkers to evaluate an individual’s cancer risk. With Cytokinesis-Blocked Micro Nucleus (CBMN) assay we could measure early biological effects of ionizing radiation and different genotoxic chemicals or genotoxic damage on human cells. Aims of the study: This study aims to determine the presence of NPBs in peripheral binuclear blood lymphocytes, as a potential bio-dosimeter for genotoxicity on humans exposed to ionizing rays (IR). Material and methods: Blood samples were collected from health workers exposed to IR a strong clastogenic agent and a potent inducer of NPBs. CBMN assay has proven to be a reliable and useful assey in the field of cytogenetics and human biomonitoring. Results: The presence of nuclear anomalies observed as a NPBs confirmed the genotoxic effects two or more years after an exposure of human population to IR. The health workers with long exposer on IR similary as smokers have a high frequency or presence of NPBs than the control group, young and healthy population, non-exposed to IR. Conclusion: NPBs can confirm the influence of genetic damage induced by ionizing radiation and smoking, and also can be used as biomarkers to evaluate genomic instability as predictors for individual’s cancer risk.