Lung cancer - a comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an important public health challenge, representing the fourth leading cause of death in the world. A very important characteristic of COPD is represented by the coexistence of comorbidities. Lung cancer, a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, is also a frequent comorbidity in COPD. Cigarette smoking represents the best-known risk factor in both COPD and lung cancer, causing common pathogenic mechanisms like oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the etiopathogenic link between COPD and lung cancer implies a common underlying genetic susceptibility, acting in addition to environmental risk factors. These trigger more complex cellular and molecular mechanisms, represented by immune dysfunction, abnormal activation of transcription factors, altered signaling pathways, epithelial to mesenchymal transition. A better understanding of the etiopathogenic link between COPD and lung cancer at the molecular level will allow the discovery of more sensitive diagnostic methods and also new molecular targets for an efficient treatment.