Blood markers predict lung cancer risk years before diagnosis, study finds
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Researchers from Emory University and the American Cancer Society have identified blood metabolites that signal lung cancer risk years before symptoms appear, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The analysis of 1,357 healthy individuals shows that air pollution triggers molecular changes long before tumor formation, explaining why non-smokers account for over half of lung cancer cases.
The Metabolite Discovery
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 1,357 healthy individuals, tracking small molecules called metabolites. Long-term exposure to air pollution triggered disruptions in metabolites linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular energy production. These molecular changes were detectable years before tumors could form, according to the study published in Nature Communications. Senior author Dr. Ying Wang of Emory University said outdoor air pollution acts as a direct carcinogen, explaining why over half of lung cancers occur in people who have never smoked.
Screening Protocol Gaps
Current lung cancer screening in the United States mainly targets individuals aged 50 to 80 with a heavy smoking history. The new data show that millions of non-smokers exposed to air pollution are currently excluded from early-detection programs. Associate Professor Donghai Liang, an environmental health expert at Emory, noted that the chemical footprint left by pollution offers an early warning signal. Researchers aim to develop liquid biopsy tests that can detect these blood markers years before clinical diagnosis, potentially reshaping public health strategies.
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