Abstract: Methods of screening for a tumor or tumor progression to the metastatic state are provided. The screening methods are based on the characterization of DNA by principal components analysis of spectral data yielded by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy of DNA samples. The methods are applicable to a wide variety of DNA samples and cancer types.

Abstract: Methods of screening for a tumor or tumor progression to the metastatic state are a provided. The screening methods are based on the characterization of DNA by principal components analysis of spectral data yielded by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy of DNA samples. The methods are applicable to a wide variety of DNA samples and cancer types.

Abstract: Methods for determining the genotoxic or carcinogenic status of a subject by analyzing the cellular redox potential of a test specimen where an increased risk of, or presence of, genotoxic injury or cancer is indicated when the cellular redox potential favors oxidatively derived modified nucleotide bases. A sensitive method is disclosed wherein DNA is isolated from a test specimen obtained from a test subject and assayed for modified nucleotide bases that have formed either stable reductively formed derivatives or stable oxidatively formed derivatives. By identifying and comparing those modified nucleotide bases derived via reductive pathways to those modified nucleotide bases derived via oxidative patwhays, a determination as to the cancer status of the test specimen can be made wherein a greater cancerous state exists when the ratio between the two species of modified nucleotide bases indicates that oxidatively formed derivative are favored over reductively formed derivatives.

Abstract: Methods for determining the genotoxic or carcinogenic status of a subject by analyzing the cellular redox potential of a test specimen where an increased risk of, or presence of, genotoxic injury or cancer is indicated when the cellular redox potential favors oxidatively derived modified nucleotide bases. A sensitive method is disclosed wherein DNA is isolated from a test specimen obtained from a test subject and assayed for modified nucleotide bases that have formed either stable reductively formed derivatives or stable oxidatively formed derivatives. By identifying and comparing those modified nucleotide bases derived via reductive pathways to those modified nucleotide bases derived via oxidative pathways, a determination as to the cancer status of the test specimen can be made wherein a greater cancerous state exists when the ratio between the two species of modified nucleotide bases indicates that oxidatively formed derivative are favored over reductively formed derivatives.

Abstract: A method for diagnostic or prognostic monitoring of premalignant or malignant conditions of human secretory epithelia, particularly colonic epithelia, by determining the extent of expression of a .beta.1-3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase is described. Associated with the expression of a wide variety of carbohydrate antigens in adenocarcinomas is the induction of .beta.1-3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase in epithelial cells. This enzyme is not found in normal, healthy adult colonic epithelial cells and thus indicates a novel and potentially sensitive method for screening the disease status of individuals.