abnormal chromosomes and cancer

["Field, R. William" <bill-field@UIOWA.EDU>]

It is pretty rare to see a study actually relates the degree of abnormal 

chromosomes with cancer.  I would like to hear others thoughts on this paper.



Regards, Bill Field





Increased risk of cancer in radon-exposed miners with elevated frequency of 

chromosomal aberrations.



Mutat Res 2002 Feb 15;514(1-2):165-176 I





Smerhovsky Z, Landa K, Ro"ssner P, Juzova D, Brabec M, Zudova Z, Hola N, 

Zarska H, Nevsimalova E.



National Institute of Public Health, Srobarova Str. 48, 10042 10, Prague, 

Czech Republic In spite of the extensive use of cytogenetic analysis of 

human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the biomonitoring of exposure to 

various mutagens and carcinogens, the long-term effects of an increased 

frequency of chromosomal aberrations in individuals are still uncertain. 

Few epidemiologic studies have addressed this issue, and a moderate risk of 

cancer in individuals with an elevated frequency of chromosomal aberrations 

has been observed.In the present study, we analyzed data on 1323 

cytogenetic assays and 225 subjects examined because of occupational 

exposures to radon (range of exposure from 1.7 to 662.3 working level month 

(WLM)). Seventy-five subjects were non-smokers. We found 36 cases of cancer 

in this cohort.Chromatid breaks were the most frequently observed type of 

aberrations (mean frequency 1.2 per 100 cells), which statistically 

significantly correlated with radon exposure (Spearman's correlation 

coefficient R=0.22, P<0.001). Also, the frequency of aberrant cells (median 

of 2.5%) correlated with radon exposure (Spearman's correlation coefficient 

R=0.16, P<0.02). Smoking and silicosis were not associated with results of 

cytogenetic analyses.The Cox regression models, which accounted for the age 

at time of first cytogenetic assay, radon exposure, and smoking showed 

strong and statistically significant associations between cancer incidence 

and frequency of chromatid breaks and frequency of aberrant cells, 

respectively. A 1% increase in the frequency of aberrant cells was 

paralleled by a 62% increase in risk of cancer (P<0.000). An increase in 

frequency of chromatid breaks by 1 per 100 cells was followed by a 99% 

increase in risk of cancer (P<0.000). We obtained similar results when we 

analyzed the incidence of lung cancer and the incidence other than lung 

cancer separately.Contrary to frequency of chromatid breaks and frequency 

of aberrant cells, the frequency of chromatid exchanges, and 

chromosome-type aberrations were not predictive of cancer.



Regards, Bill Field



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