In vitro method for determining genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogenicity of a compound.

摘要

The invention is in the field of molecular diagnostics. More in particular it provides marker genes for determining the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of compounds. A method according to the invention employs samples obtained from animals exposed to a potentially genotoxic and/or carcinogenic compound and determines expression levels of a number of marker genes in order to distinguish between carcinogenic compounds and non-carcinogenic compounds and between genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogenic compounds. Even more in particular, the invention provides an in vitro method for determining whether it is likely or unlikely that a compound is a genotoxic carcinogen wherein the expression level of at least one marker gene is determined in a sample obtained from a rodent previously exposed to the compound, wherein the at least one marker gene is selected from the group consisting of LOC75771, Nup62, Zbtb16 and Anks4b, and wherein it is concluded that the compound is likely to be a genotoxic carcinogen if the expression level of LOC75771 or Anks4b is above a predetermined reference value or if the expression level of Nup62 or Zbtb16 is below a predetermined reference value or concluding that the compound is unlikely a genotoxic carcinogen if the expression level of LOC75771 or Anks4b is at or below a predetermined reference value or if the expression level of Nup62 or Zbtb16 is at or above a predetermined reference value.