Thomas S J, MacLennan R
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Lancet. 1992 Sep 5;340(8819):577-8. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(92)92109-s.
Oral squamous cell cancer is the most common malignant tumour in Papua New Guinea. We have found that oral cancer in this region is concentrated at the corner of the mouth and cheek, by striking contrast with western populations, and corresponds precisely with the site of application of lime in 77% of 169 cases. Powdered slaked lime applied to the chewed Areca nut with Piper betle inflorescence at the corner of the mouth causes the mean pH to rise to 10, at which reactive oxygen species are generated from betel quid ingredients in vitro. Reactive oxygen species, together with sustained lime-induced cell proliferation, suggest a possible mechanism of carcinogenesis for this tumour.
口腔鳞状细胞癌是巴布亚新几内亚最常见的恶性肿瘤。我们发现，该地区的口腔癌集中在嘴角和脸颊处，这与西方人群形成了鲜明对比，在169例病例中的77%中，其发病部位与涂抹石灰的位置精确对应。将熟石灰粉与蒌叶花序一起涂抹在嘴角咀嚼的槟榔上，会使平均pH值升至10，此时槟榔咀嚼物中的成分在体外会产生活性氧。活性氧与石灰持续诱导的细胞增殖共同提示了该肿瘤可能的致癌机制。
