In recent years, more and more evidence has shown that the increase in lung cancer cases is closely related to air pollution. The latest research has found that when fine suspended particles in the air enter the lungs, they can induce inflammation of the lung tissue, which in turn activates the activity of cancer-driving genes, and finally promotes the formation of tumors.
Inflammation is key
In the past, some experts believed that the carcinogenicity of air pollution was due to gene mutations caused by carcinogens entering the human body, but a recent study published in “Nature” pointed out that the carcinogenic relationship lies in “inflammation”. The researchers analyzed data from nearly 400,000 people in the UK and Asia, including around 30,000 cases of EGFR-positive lung cancer.
contribute to tumorigenesis
The analysis revealed a clear relationship between the concentration of PM2.5 and the incidence of EGFR-positive cancer. The study further used gene editing to make mice with oncogenes, and then exposed them to PM2.5 pollutants, their lungs immediately became inflamed, and led to the evolution of alveolar epithelial cells with EGFR mutations into tumor pioneer cells, contributing to Tumorigenesis. If the mice were treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, the risk of tumor formation was reduced.
Treat Chronic Inflammation Early
Studies have pointed out that with aging and degeneration, there are more and more cells with genetic mutations in the lungs. Once activated or triggered by other conditions, they will evolve into cancer cells. It is estimated that about 10% of lung cancers are related to air pollution.
Experts pointed out that currently there is no way to prevent genetic mutations in cells, and there is no way to eliminate or inhibit cell mutations, but there are ways to reduce air pollution, as well as early diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of lung cancer.
2023-05-31 20:30:27
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