Work

Telomere length, COPD and emphysema as risk factors for lung cancer

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Telomeres are DNA–protein structures that protect chromosome ends from degradation and shorten progressively with each cell division [1]. Telomere length measured in peripheral leukocytes has been used to determine an individual's “biological age”, and previous reports have demonstrated that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or emphysema have shorter peripheral leukocyte telomere length [2–5]. The presence of COPD and emphysema are independent risk factors for the ultimate development of lung cancer [6, 7]. Leukocyte telomere length should be included among the independent risk factors associated with lung cancer <http://ow.ly/uzlg304Qpn6> J.P. de-Torres, G. Bastarrika, J.J. Zulueta, P. Sanchez-Salcedo, B.R. Celli (conception and design, analysis and interpretation, and drafting the manuscript for important intellectual content); A.B. Alcaide, J. Berto, A. Campo, M. del Mar Ocon, C. Monente, R. Pío, M.J. Pajares, L. Montuenga (analysis and interpretation).

Source: European Respiratory Journal

DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01521-2016