Benzpyrene-induced sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of patients with lung cancer.

The effect of benzpyrene on sister chromatid exchange was determined in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes of 18 patients with lung cancer and 11 controls without cancer or bronchopulmonary diseases. Patients and controls did not differ either with respect to the spontaneous rate of sister chromatid exchanges or in their response to the carcinogen. We conclude that individual susceptibility to lung cancer cannot be detected by an individual response to benzypyrene, at least in lymphocytes and at the chromosomal level.