Air pollution could be responsible for thousands of non-smokers dying from lung cancer every year, new UK research suggests.
A £14 million ($16.2m) research programme by Cancer Research UK looked at how lung cancer starts and evolves over time, in an effort to explore new treatments.
Although smoking is a well-known cause of lung cancer, the risk caused by air pollution was not fully understood until now.
Researchers involved with the Tracerx Lung Study investigated the theory that tiny pollutant particles in the air — about 3 per cent of the width of a human hair called PM2.5 — cause inflammation in the lungs that can lead to cancer.
The mechanism we’ve identified could ultimately help us to find better ways to prevent and treat lung cancer in never-smokers
Prof Charles Swanton,
Francis Crick Institute and University College London
Inactive cells in the lungs that carry cancer-causing mutations are ‘woken up’ by inflammation, causing cells to grow uncontrollably into tumours.
Prof Charles Swanton, chief clinician of scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University College London, said the study fundamentally changed how lung cancer should be viewed in those who have never smoked.
“Cells with cancer-causing mutations accumulate naturally as we age, but they are normally inactive,” said Prof Swanton, who is also lead investigator on the Tracerx study.
“We’ve demonstrated that air pollution wakes these cells up in the lungs, encouraging them to grow and potentially form tumours.
“The mechanism we’ve identified could ultimately help us to find better ways to prevent and treat lung cancer in never smokers.
“If we can stop cells from growing in response to air pollution, we can reduce the risk of lung cancer.”
An estimated 6,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer in the UK each year, with outdoor air pollution thought to contribute or cause about 10 per cent of lung cancer cases.
Air pollution has also been linked to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Copd), heart disease and dementia.
While environmental agents such as ultraviolet light and tobacco smoke are known to directly mutate DNA, the study revealed how air pollution could have a similar effect.
Scientists examined a type of lung cancer called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant lung cancer, commonly found in the lung cancer of non-smokers.
Rates of EGFR were examined in data from 400,000 people in the UK and Asian countries, and compared with different levels of pollution.
The scientists found higher rates of the EGFR mutation, as well as other cancers in those living in areas with high PM2.5 pollution levels.
According to the Swiss IQAir pollution index in 2021, Bangladesh had the worst air quality index rating of 161, followed by Chad, Pakistan, Tajikistan and India.
Nations with the cleanest air were New Caledonia followed by the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Cape Verde and Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba in the Caribbean.
“Even small changes in air pollution levels can affect human health,” said Dr Emilia Lim, co-author of the study.
“Ninety-nine per cent of the world’s population lives in areas which exceed annual World Health Organisation limits for PM2.5, underlining the public health challenges posed by air pollution across the globe.”
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ashjaan, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Amirah, Conner Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yaasoob, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Manhunter, Ryan Curatolo, Mujeeb Rahman.
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
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