Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas at Houston recently announced the results of a study they conducted which showed that damage to particular cells that line the mouth is often indicative of damage to similar cells in the lungs and is potentially predictive of the development of tobacco-induced lung cancer, as well as other forms of cancer that tobacco is involved in. The research team enrolled 125 long-time smokers in their study and they looked at two genes that have previously been implicated in the development of cancer: p16 and FHIT. Long before any cancer actually develops, the genes that cause its later emergence have already sustained significant damage to their proper function, so the development of tests that can investigate and diagnose present gene damage are potentially very helpful in monitoring overall health and determining the likelihood of cancer development in at-risk populations.

In the present study, the research team investigated the status of p16 and FHIT in both the mouth and lungs of their sample population. They found that p16 was shut down in the lungs of 23 percent of the sample and in the mouth in 19 percent. FHIT was shut down in the lungs in 17 percent of the sample and in the mouth in 15 percent. Overall, the researchers found that in 95 percent of people whose genes were affected, the genes were affected in both the mouth and the lungs.

These are important findings because the researchers hope these results will lead to the development of easier screening tests, such as a simple mouth swab, for lung cancer and other cancers, such as mesothelioma. The development of more effective screening tests could save many lives, as most cases of lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma are only diagnosed when the diseases are in their later stages and are more difficult to treat effectively.

Labels: LungCancer, mesothelioma