New factor raised for ex-smokers' lung cancer risk
Former lung smokers - some get lung cancer, some don't
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Monday, 17, Nov 2008 03:00
Scientists believe they may have worked out why some former smokers succumb to lung cancer while others do not.
Disrupted methylation, a vital process which regulates gene expression during normal development, could potentially be to blame for the distinction.
That is the conclusion of research by Canadian scientists, who identified differences in methylation levels in lung cells between former smokers with and without lung cancer.
"Alteration to DNA methylation might potentially explain why some former smokers sustain additional genetic damage resulting in lung cancer," Emily Vucic of the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver said.
"As methylation is a reversible DNA modification, this knowledge could prompt the development and application of chemopreventive agents and unique therapeutic strategies that target DNA methylation in these patients."
The research could have wide-ranging impacts as smoking is the biggest risk factor for lung cancer even among those who have quit for long periods of time.
Cigarette smoke exposure has been shown to activate genes that promote cancer and deactivate genes that stop tumor growth.
"Studies examining tumors at all levels of DNA disruption will identify events involved in lung cancer development in former smokers," Dr Vucic added.