Molecular damage in the bronchial epithelium of current and former smokers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most lung cancers are attributed to smoking. These cancers have been associated with multiple genetic alterations and with the presence of preneoplastic bronchial lesions. In view of such associations, we evaluated the status of specific chromosomal loci in histologically normal and abnormal bronchial biopsy specimens from current and former smokers and specimens from nonsmokers.

Methods

Multiple biopsy specimens were obtained from 18 current smokers, 24 former smokers, and 21 nonsmokers. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays involving 15 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were used to examine eight chromosomal regions for genetic changes (loss of heterozygosity [LOH] and microsatellite alterations).

Results

LOH and microsatellite alterations were obse

SUBMITTER: Wistuba II 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5193483 | biostudies-literature | 1997 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature