Lung cancer caused by genes!
Three studies have demonstrated for the first time a genetic cause for this type of cancer. Perhaps also responsible for nicotine dependence
A gene variation on a region of chromosome 15 is related to the risk of developing lung cancer. At this same result came three independent studies, two published in Nature and one in Nature Genetics, and is the first time that there is a genetic cause for lung cancer, in addition to environmental factors among them, of course, smoking.
Between cancer and smoking is perhaps the most obvious cause-effect relationship in epidemiology. And here lies the point: a region of chromosome contains objected to three genes which in turn contain the instructions to produce a very particular protein: the nicotinic receptor for acetylcholine. As the name implies, this receptor has a strong affinity for nicotine and a change in its structure could cause cancer in itself and, affect dependence on smoking (according to the second one of the three studies)
A gene variation on a region of chromosome 15 is related to the risk of developing lung cancer. At this same result came three independent studies, two published in Nature and one in Nature Genetics, and is the first time that there is a genetic cause for lung cancer, in addition to environmental factors among them, of course, smoking.
Between cancer and smoking is perhaps the most obvious cause-effect relationship in epidemiology. And here lies the point: a region of chromosome contains objected to three genes which in turn contain the instructions to produce a very particular protein: the nicotinic receptor for acetylcholine. As the name implies, this receptor has a strong affinity for nicotine and a change in its structure could cause cancer in itself and, affect dependence on smoking (according to the second one of the three studies)
The variation studied very frequent in the population, is due to polymorphism of a single nucleotide (Snp), namely the replacement of a base with another. The team led by Stefansson and Thorgeirsson, pharmaceutical deCode Genetics (Iceland) has studied the link between genetic variability of the chromosomal region and dependence on nicotine and concluded that the individuals who have in their genetic heritage mutation are 80 percent more likely to become heavy smokers. Looking attended, among others, even some scholars of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. The group Brennan Hung and the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon (France) has dismissed the suggestion. Even Amos and his colleagues dell'M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas (USA) have described the correlation between genetic variation and habit of smoking "low". In conclusion: the genes are responsible for predisposition to lung cancer and smoking is an important cofactor. But smoking is perhaps not the fault of the genes. At least, not according to two of the three studies.
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