It is indisputable that smoking is harmful to health. However, how do cigarettes cause harm to the human body? British researchers found that the carcinogens in cigarettes directly cause mutations in DNA, and it is estimated that smokers smoke on average 15 cigarettes each time and DNA occurs once. mutation. The results of the study are published in the latest issue of Nature's Online magazine.
Translation of cancer genes
The Sanger Institute for Welkom Foundation in the United Kingdom performed genetic decoding on the tumor tissues of lung cancer patients and malignant melanoma patients.
The results of the study showed that the lung cancer genome contained approximately 23,000 mutations, while the malignant melanoma genome contained approximately 33,000 mutations.
In fact, all types of cancer are caused by genetic coding errors. External stimuli can lead to gene mutations, which can make the coding of genes wrong, causing cells to grow in the wrong way, at the wrong time and in the wrong place, and become malignant. Smoking and excessive exposure are the main causes of lung cancer and malignant melanoma, respectively.
Smoking mutagenesis
Researchers estimate that smokers smoke an average of 15 cigarettes per cigarette and cause a mutation in the DNA.
Peter Campbell, one of the research project leaders, compared most of the gene mutations to “passers†and would not directly lead to cancer. He said: "Smoking is like playing Russian roulette... Most mutations do not cause cancer, but only one carcinogenic mutation can cause cancer."
Dr. Andy Fordell, who participated in the study, said: "Gene mutations, such as mutations caused by smoking, will cause permanent damage because the mutated genes will be transmitted from generation to generation." The researchers speculated that after quitting smoking, the smokers lung The damaged cells of the Ministry need 15 years to be replaced by new cells.
Breakthrough significance
Many researchers believe that the results of this study are of great significance for the timely detection of cancer, research of new drugs and new therapies.
Campbell said: "Some years of research are important for cancer treatment. With the help of decoding tumor genes, we can use new drugs targeting mutation genes to treat cancer."
As one of the project's main principals, Mike Sterton said: "Lung cancer and malignant melanoma are two kinds of cancers in the world today. With help of analytical genes, we can find them before the tumors deteriorate and take measures."