April 13 2005
NEW RESEARCH PROVES TOBACCO SMOKE LEADS TO LUNG CANCER
Cancer inducing chemicals such as tobacco smoke have been shown to cause fatal changes within the DNA of human body cells.
The findings of new research1, published today (April 14) in the prestigious scientific magazine ‘Nature’, demonstrate that the chemicals damage parts of the DNA within susceptible tissue cells. Some damaged cells self-destruct while others go on to cause cancer.
In addition, the study illustrates the fact that the changes take place much earlier than previously thought.
“We have identified one of the major mechanisms involved in the development of cancer,” says Professor John Field, Director of The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation2, which partially funded the research.
“This has enormous implications in the understanding of this devastating disease. It is particularly important for lung cancer patients whose condition currently is very rarely diagnosed before symptoms are well advanced. The findings are a significant contribution to research into methods of early detection and, hence, more successful treatment,” he continues.
Scientists from the Foundation participated in the international research programme which investigated the very early steps of cancer development. Studies were conducted at the University of Athens Medical School; Democritos National Centre of Scientific Research, Athens; Wistar Institute, Philadelphia; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, as well as the Foundation’s own Liverpool-based research laboratories.
The scientists found that continuous exposure to tobacco smoke increases the chances that cells will be damaged, thereby causing a pre-cancerous condition that can lead to cancer.
Their tests confirmed that some humans are more susceptible to DNA damage than others and that some body tissue is also more susceptible. Cells from tissues such as the colon and skin, for example, did not show the DNA changes. In addition, the study identified that early lung cancer lesions (pre-cancerous damage to cells) are virtually impossible to spot using current detection methods.
One of the authors of the research findings, Dr Lakis Liloglou, Head of the Foundation’s Molecular Biomarkers Research Group, said: “Our study further emphasises the need to detect lung cancer much earlier. Chemotherapy can be far more effective in the early stages of lung cancer and the side effects of the treatment are minimised.”
Mike Unger, Chief Executive of The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, added: “Clearly, this research is a very important step in the process of studying cancer’s development and finding better, earlier methods of detection.
“It also shows that many more people could be saved from cancer deaths, particularly lung cancer, if more funding was available for further research into the early detection of this devastating disease.
“Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the UK and it is curable if caught early - yet only three per cent of government funding into cancer research is spent on lung cancer. Today’s research report shows that far more can, and should, be done.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1Activation of the DNA damage checkpoint and genomic instability in human precancerous lesions, published by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Liverpool; University of Athens Medical School; The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York and Democritos National Centre of Scientific Research, Athens.
2The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the only charity in the world wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer – the biggest cancer killer in the UK. Our approach benefits current and future lung cancer sufferers alike:
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we fund Research Programmes to detect lung cancer at a very early stage, which will save lives and is vital to the development of a future therapy
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we offer Patient Support, Advocacy and an Information Network offering information, guidance and support relevant to the needs of lung cancer patients and their families
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we facilitate Support Groups across the UK that assist sufferers to come to terms with the disease and provide patient advocacy services
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we operate ‘Quit Smoking’ services for adults (Fag Ends) and our KATS (Kids Against Tobacco Smoke) educational programme that encourages young people never to start
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we run fundraising events and charity shops, both of which help to generate much needed voluntary donations (public and corporate) on which we rely.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF ROY CASTLE LUNG CANCER FOUNDATION BY M&M. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LYNN MAY ON 01829 752751 |
