Scientists discover gene linked to lung cancer in non-smokers

A research team from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in New York, identified the gene called GPC5 and found that any variations in this genetic code could significantly contribute towards causing lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

Many of the recent studies have identified genetic codes that might cause lung cancer. But none of the studies has found a genetic code that could explain why non-smokers develop the condition.

Despite several attempts, the causes of the same still remain unidentified. However, the genetic code in the present study could be a new means to identify the factors responsible for lung cancer in non-smokers thereby paving way for new treatments.

754 non-smokers studied
A team led by Ping Yang from the Mayo Clinic enrolled 754 non-smokers and examined their DNA samples to come up with this finding.

The non-smokers group included individuals who had smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their entire life.

In the process, the team analyzed more than 3,00,000 DNA variants known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).

These variants were then compared with DNA variants of members from the general public to draw valid conclusions.

Risk factors like respiratory diseases, exposure to second-hand smoke and family history of lung cancer were also accounted for the study.

On analysis, the researchers found two sections of the GPC5 gene emerged as significant in causing lung cancer in all the non-smokers.

44 specific genetic variants analyzed
To further validate their findings, the researchers took 44 specific genetic variants analyzed in the first study and studied them in two separate sets of non-smokers.

Almost half of the individuals in both groups had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The same two sections of the genome remained significant in both these groups.

A third study involving 530 patients’ also revealed similar results.

Despite the promising outcomes of the study, the scientists feel there is need for further research to draw a more tangible conclusion that the GPC5 gene could lead to lung cancer in people who do not smoke.

The study has been published in The Lancet Oncology.