Immunohistochemical test for determining the role of Aflatoxin B1 in liver cancer

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent carcinogen found in foods like peanuts, corn, and grains that have been contaminated by the fungus that produces them. This technology is an antibody for an AFB1-DNA adduct and a cell line that selectively expresses it. AFB1 has long been implicated in liver cancers, but until the development of this technology, the relationship between AFB1 exposure and liver cancer has only been established in animal models. It has now been used to establish the relationship between AFB1 exposure and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. It may be useful in determining a patient’s exposure levels to AFB1, and as a research tool for investigating its role in other cancers.

AFB1 antibody detects AFB1-DNA adducts in liver cancer patients

The liver carcinogenicity of AFB1 was in part confirmed because of this technology. It was used in a field study in Taiwan to identify the relationship between AFB1 exposure and liver cancer by detecting the levels of AFB1-DNA adducts. This technology also made it possible to track the relationship between AFB1 exposure, hepatitis B and liver cancer, and in doing so, found a link that suggested a viral-chemical interaction between the hepatitis B virus and AFB1. In addition, this technology was used to identify patients who were at increased risk for developing liver cancer due to AFB1 exposure because of genetic predispositions.

Lead Inventor:

Regina Santella, Ph.D.

Applications:

• Research tool for studying the relationship between aflatoxin B1 and cancer
• Diagnostic tool for assessing aflatoxin B1 exposure

Advantages:

• Antibody can be selectively generated in a unique cell line
• Has already been used to establish the link between AFB1 and liver cancer

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Tech Ventures Reference: IR 957

Related Publications:

• Zhang YJ, Chen CJ, Lee CS, Haghighi B, Yang GY, Wang LW, Feitelson M, Santella R. “Aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts and hepatitis B virus antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-tumorous liver tissue.” Carcinogenesis. 1991 Dec;12(12):2247-52.

• Santella RM, Zhang YJ, Chen CJ, Hsieh LL, Lee CS, Haghighi B, Yang GY, Wang LW, Feitelson M. “Immunohistochemical detection of aflatoxin B1-DNA adducts and hepatitis B virus antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma and nontumorous liver tissue.” Environ Health Perspect. 1993 Mar;99:199-202.

• Chen CJ, Zhang YJ, Lu SN, Santella RM. “Aflatoxin B1 DNA adducts in smeared tumor tissue from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.” Hepatology. 1992 Nov;16(5):1150-5.