Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and the risk of lung cancer: a pilot nested case-control study.

AIM

We conducted a pilot nested case-control study to prospectively evaluate the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress on lung carcinogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-five patients with lung cancer and 140 age- and sex-matched controls were selected from a sub-cohort of the Korean Multi-center Cancer Cohort. PAH metabolites (1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol), oxidative stress markers, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed using urine samples collected at baseline.

RESULTS

The levels of urinary PAH metabolites and oxidative stress were not different between cases and controls. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol levels were significantly associated with urinary oxidative stress markers only in lung cancer cases. Individuals with low urinary TAC and high urinary oxidative stress levels had significantly higher risk of lung cancer compared to those with high urinary TAC and low urinary oxidative stress levels.

CONCLUSION

Oxidative stress induced by PAH exposure and TAC may be important determinants for the susceptibility to lung cancer.