A new study published in Nature found that exposure to air pollutants less than 2.5 microns in diameter can increase the risk of lung cancer in people who have mutations in the EGFR gene, which has been linked to lung cancer. The study analyzed data from over 30,000 people in four countries and sheds new light on how air pollutants can produce tumors and lead to the progression of lung cancer.
Cercetătorii au expus șoareci cu o mutație EGFR la poluanți microscopici și au descoperit că aceștia au dezvoltat foarte repede tumori pulmonare. Plămânii șoarecilor cu mutația EGFR s-au inflamat, ca urmare a pătrunderii în plămâni a celulelor imunitare numite macrofage și a moleculei interleukina 1 beta. Blocarea interleukinei 1 beta cu un anticorp a redus cancerul pulmonar la acești șoareci, sugerând că reducerea inflamației ar putea fi o modalitate de a stopa creșterea tumorilor pulmonare.
The study's findings suggest that exposure to air pollutants can increase the risk of lung cancer in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the disease. The study also highlights the role of inflammation in the development and progression of lung cancer, which may be one of the mechanisms by which air pollutants contribute to the disease.
Source: science.org