Gene-environment interactions in human lung cancer

Gene-environment interactions are thought to be critical for several diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma. Cancer is a result of multiple gene-environment interactions occurring over several decades. During tumor development the cell accumulates multiple genetic changes, which generate the transformed phenotype, i.e. a cell with increased genetic instability. Lung cancer is a useful model for the study of the interplay between genetic factors and environmental exposure since the primary etiology is well established. Several polymorphic enzymes that may be important determinants of susceptibility have been demonstrated. Data also provide evidence for sex differences in lung cancer susceptibility. Furthermore, certain chemical carcinogens may contribute to the carcinogenic process in the lung epithelial cells by inducing genomic instability either directly or indirectly through inflammatory processes.