How genes and tobacco chemicals affect lung cancer risk
Gene-tobacco carcinogen interactions and lung cancer risk - a novel approach for precision cancer prevention
This project looks at whether the way people process a tobacco chemical and their genes changes their chance of getting lung cancer, especially in smokers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312739 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure specific tobacco-related chemicals and their breakdown products in urine, focusing on two mirror-image forms of NNAL and their glucuronide forms. They will also test participants’ DNA for a common deletion in the UGT2B17 gene that affects how that chemical is detoxified. Using samples and health data from multiple groups, mostly people who smoke or used to smoke, the team will look for links between these biomarkers and later lung cancer. The aim is to find genetic and chemical markers that identify who has higher risk so prevention and early detection can be more personalized.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are current or former smokers willing to give urine and blood samples and share their medical and smoking history.
Not a fit: People who never smoked or whose lung cancer risk comes mainly from non-tobacco causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these tobacco-specific biomarker findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify smokers at higher risk so they can get targeted prevention, closer monitoring, or earlier screening.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier cohort work has linked NNAL biomarkers and UGT2B17 variation to lung cancer risk, but using NNAL enantiomer ratios for precision prevention is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lazarus, Philip — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Lazarus, Philip
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.