A recent study published in Nature has shed new light on the genetic changes that lead to lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Led by Dr. Maria Teresa Landi and Dr. Ludmil Alexandrov, researchers analyzed whole-genome data from 871 never-smokers with lung cancer to identify patterns of DNA mutations linked to air pollution exposure.
The study found that high levels of fine-particle air pollution were associated with increased mutations in the TP53 gene, a protein that helps suppress tumors. Additionally, people exposed to higher levels of air pollution had shorter telomeres, which are protective caps on chromosomes that can lead to cancer and organ failure.
Notably, exposure to secondhand smoke was linked to only slight increases in total mutations, with no increase in cancer-driving mutations or mutational signatures. However, it was still associated with shortened telomeres.
The research team’s findings provide critical insights into the development of lung cancer in never-smokers and could inform future prevention strategies. By understanding the genetic factors that contribute to this type of cancer, researchers can design more effective interventions to reduce its impact globally.
“We’re seeing a problematic trend with many lung cancers occurring in never-smokers,” says Dr. Alexandrov. “Our research shows that air pollution is strongly associated with the same types of DNA mutations we typically associate with smoking.”
The study highlights the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors when studying cancer development, particularly for populations exposed to high levels of air pollution.
Source: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/factors-linked-lung-cancer-never-smokers