Novel Biomarkers for Lung Field Cancerization Predict Risk of Lung Cancer to Guide Prevention and Early Diagnosis
Abstract
Objective: The objective of the research project is to create a new type of blood test that will predict a patient?s risk for developing lung cancer in the next 5 years. Area of Emphasis: Identify or develop noninvasive, or minimally invasive, tools to improve the detection of the initial stages of lung cancer. Patient Need: There is a critical need for a simple test that predicts a person?s risk, or the chances, of getting lung cancer in the future. People who are smokers are worried that they are putting themselves at risk for developing lung cancer. People who have stopped smoking would like to be reassured that smoking cessation will lessen their chances of lung cancer. Individuals who have been exposed to second-hand smoke or environmental toxins are also worried that they are at risk for lung cancer. We propose to study the accuracy of a new class of blood markers, based on a new type of highly sensitivity technology we have created, for a study set of patients who are smokers, former smokers, or never smokers. Blood has been collected over time for these patients, and we know who developed lung cancer and who did not. We will apply our new test to these patient samples to see if we can accurately predict who will contract lung cancer. Project Design: We have already discovered candidate markers in patients that predict future lung cancer with high sensitivity and specificity in our preliminary work. Under the objectives of this project, we want to test the truth of our risk assessment for lung cancer using a separate independent group of patients. Novel Scientific Basis: Decades of research on the lungs of patients who suffer from lung cancer has revealed that the entire surface of the breathing tubes (bronchial tree) is irritated with chronic damage and inflammation and contains numerous areas containing altered cells that are prone to becoming cancerous. This ?field? of ?cancerization? may exist for 10 to 20 years before a malignant lung tumor develops. This irritated bed of stressed cells can have a high turnover of new cells that replace the damaged cells, setting the stage for cancer. Our hypothesis is that this large area of lung irritation and damage contains biomarkers that herald the earliest stages of lung cancer. Since we are employing a novel technology, which we developed, that is 1000 times more sensitive compared to past methods, we believe that we can pick up the signs of lung cancer many years before it develops. Military Relevance: Lung cancer rates of Veterans are twice that for their civilian counterparts, and twice as many active duty military smoke compared to the civilian population. In addition, military service is associated with exposure to lung cancer causing chemicals such as Agent Orange or asbestos. Projected Time Line: If our test proves successful in the independent set of patients in the first year of this study, then this would justify wider testing in large populations of patients. Benefits: If this project is successful and results in sufficient risk prediction accuracy, there can be immediate benefits for patients and we will advance the field of lung cancer. (1) If our test is positive patients can be encouraged to alter their life style to stop smoking and to have yearly screening. (2) The molecules we have discovered that make up our test provide novel targets for prevention strategies, such as non-toxic drugs, or immunotherapies, that can reduce the risk of lung cancer in high risk patients. (3) Our test can reassure patients that they have reduced their risk for lung cancer, once they have stopped smoking, or have never smoked, or have undergone prevention therapies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710175
Entities
People
- Lance A. Liotta
Organizations
- George Mason University
- United States Army