Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer, based on how the cells look under a microscope. Small cell lung cancer grows and spreads more quickly than nonsmall cell lung cancer. Fortunately, the former is less common.

Carcinogens

The major cause of lung cancer is exposure to carcinogens which alter the genes involved in cell division. Tobacco is the most common carcinogen, followed by asbestos.

Prominent Genes in Lung Cancer

p53, p16, MYCL1 and FHIT.

Review Articles:

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer - Cancer Research, 2005.

Caspase Regulation in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer and its Potential for Therapeutic Exploitation - Clin. Cancer Research, 2005.

Gene Expression Profiling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Clin. Cancer Research, 2004.

Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Clinical Cancer Research, 2003.

Patterns of p53 G -> T transversions in lung cancers reflect the primary mutagenic signature of DNA-damage by tobacco smoke - Carcinogenesis, 2001.