Frequency of trisomy 20 in nonmalignant bronchial epithelium from lung cancer patients and cancer-free former uranium miners and smokers.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The development of sensitive screening methods to identify at-risk individuals before emergence of clinical disease would permit early intervention that could decrease this mortality. Our previous studies have shown that cells with trisomy 7 can be detected in bronchial epithelium from cancer-free smokers and former uranium miners. However, the use of more than one molecular marker could increase the chance of identifying at-risk individuals. Trisomy 20, which is found in 43-57% of non-small cell lung cancers, is a candidate marker. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the percentage of cells with trisomy 20 in persons with a high risk for lung cancer. Bronchial epithelial cells that had been assayed for trisomy 7 were assayed for trisomy 20 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Trisomy 20 was detected in bronchial epithelial cells from lung cancer patients and from smokers and ex-uranium miners without lung cancer. In some cases, patients who were negative for trisomy 7 exhibited trisomy 20. Consequently, more people with field cancerization were identified using both markers. However, the two markers combined did not appear to stratify the risk for lung cancer.

• Authors: R E Neft, R E Crowell, F D Gilliland, M M Murphy, J L Lane, H Harms, T Coons, E Heaphy, S A Belinsky, J F Lechner
• Journal: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev) Vol. 7 Issue 11 Pg. 1051-4 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 1055-9965 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9829716 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Uranium

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Bronchi (cytology)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (genetics, prevention & control)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20 (genetics)
• Female
• Humans
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
• Lung Neoplasms (genetics, prevention & control)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mining
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Smoking (adverse effects)
• Trisomy
• Uranium (adverse effects)