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Mechanistic links between COPD and lung cancer
1Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA. houghton@fhcrc.org
Nature Reviews. Cancer
|March 8, 2013
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to lung cancer, even without smoking. This review explores shared mechanisms that could offer new prevention and treatment targets for both diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies consistently show a link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer development.
- This association persists independently of smoking history, suggesting underlying shared mechanisms.
- Understanding this link is crucial, but progress is hindered by the complex, heterogeneous nature of both diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the nature of the association between COPD and lung cancer.
- To explore specific biological mechanisms common to both COPD and lung cancer.
- To identify potential chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic targets arising from these shared mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological and mechanistic studies.
- Analysis of shared pathological pathways in COPD and lung cancer.
- Discussion of potential therapeutic strategies targeting common mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The review highlights shared inflammatory and molecular pathways implicated in both COPD pathogenesis and lung cancer development.
- Specific cellular processes, such as DNA damage repair and aberrant cell signaling, are discussed as potential links.
- Several molecular targets are proposed for intervention.
Conclusions:
- The link between COPD and lung cancer is multifactorial, involving shared biological mechanisms.
- Targeting these common pathways presents opportunities for novel chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic strategies.
- Further research into these shared mechanisms could lead to improved patient outcomes in both conditions.
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