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Annals of Oncology 10:S7-S11, 1999
© 1999 European Society for Medical Oncology

Reviews

Molecular epidemiology of lung cancer*

P. G. Shields

Molecular Epidemiology Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute Bethesda, MD, USA

Correspondence to:P. G. Shields, MD, Molecular Epidemiology Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 2C16, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA, E-mail: Peter_G_Shields{at}nih.gov

Lung cancer occurs through a complex multistage process that results from the combination of carcinogen exposure and genetic susceptibilities. The primary etiology of lung cancer is tobacco smoking, but an understanding of why some smokers develop lung cancer, and others do not, remains unclear. Current studies focus on genetic susceptibilities to lung cancer, and how they modify the effects of tobacco smoke carcinogens. New assays are being developed to study other contributors to cancer risk, such as interindividual differences in DNA repair. There is current evidence to suggest that the risk of lung cancer for women, compared to men, is higher for the same level of smoking. Several biological differences for the types of lung cancer have been observed in women and men. Also, there appear to be differences in lung cancer between Caucasians and African-Americans. Molecular epidemiology tools are uniquely suited to study these biological differences. These studies will improve cancer risk assessments and focus cancer prevention strategies. Other studies also are focusing on tobacco addiction, in order to lead to improved smoking cessation strategies.

carcinogen metabolism, genetic susceptibility, risk assessment

* The US Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence in and to any copyright is acknowledged.


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