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Smoking is indeed the number one cause of lung cancer. However, about 20% of lung cancer deaths occur in people who have never smoked, according to the American Cancer Society. Researchers are working to understand how and why lung cancer develops in non-smokers. They have found that non-smokers have a very different landscape of genetic changes in their cancer than smokers do.
Lung cancers found in never-smokers are more likely to have certain biomarkers, such as EGFR or ALK mutations, which can be treated through drugs designed to target those specific mutations. On the other hand, immune targets, such as PD-L1, a protein targeted by immune checkpoint inhibitors, are more common in tumors caused by smoking.
There are also other factors that can contribute to the development of lung cancer in non-smokers. These include exposure to radon, secondhand smoke, air pollution, or other factors such as asbestos, diesel exhaust or certain other chemicals.
It is important to note that not all smokers develop lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer depends on many factors, including the amount and duration of smoking, genetics, and exposure to other risk factors.
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ALK mutation refers to a change in the ALK gene, which can lead to the development of cancer. ALK stands for anaplastic lymphoma kinase, and it is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein that is involved in cell growth and division. Mutations in the ALK gene can cause the protein to be overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the development of cancer. ALK mutations have been found in several types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. There are treatments available that target ALK mutations in cancer cells, such as ALK inhibitors. These drugs can help to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells with an ALK mutation.
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I received this from Medscape medical news:
Genetic Profiles Affect Smokers’ Lung Cancer Risk (medscape.com)
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