Methods for determining oxidative injury to dna

摘要

The invention relates to a diagnostic and prognostic method for detecting breast cancer at an early stage of its development utilizing analysis of intact DNA specimens by vibrational spectroscopy to determine the lesion profile of the DNA. The method also identifies certain types of DNA lesions, evidenced in spectra profiles having increased infrared absorption, that are characteristic of neoplastic specimens. Tissues having DNA absorption values approaching those values associated with established neoplastic DNA values in these regions are at a heightened risk of impending metastasis or of developing neoplasia unless cellular conditions in the tissue are altered to reduce DNA modifications.