Surprise breakthrough in lung cancer research

Cancer study shocks scientists - 7th November 2022

Scientists have discovered some important information about air pollution and health. They know how it develops into lung cancer. The research has changed scientists' understanding of cancer.

A study at the Crick Institute, London showed something surprising – the link between air pollution and cancer isn't direct. In lung cancer, some of the body's cells start to change. The changes are called "mutations". But it isn't air pollution that first creates these mutations.

Scientists learnt that our bodies already contain cells with mutations, but these don't damage the body. That's because they're "asleep". The problem starts when air pollution wakes them up, like an "alarm". After this, lung cancer can develop.

So, instead of looking at what makes mutations, scientists can look at what wakes them up. And pollution is just one example. It's the start of something big.

The research taught the team one more thing. The scientists let mice breathe in polluted air and they were able to stop the alarm. The animals received a pill – interleukin-1-beta – which blocked it.

Smoking is the biggest risk for lung cancer, but air pollution's also a risk. It's possible that in future, people who live in polluted areas might be given a pill.