How Can Smoking Cause Lung Cancer?

Smoking cigarettes can lead to lung cancer due to compounds like benzo a pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in cigarettes. When inhaled, benzo a pyrene is metabolized by enzymes in the liver and nasal mucosa, ultimately forming an active form that can mutate DNA and potentially cause cancer. The process involves epoxidation reactions and nucleophilic attacks on DNA, leading to mutations that can trigger apoptosis or result in permanent mutations if the repair process adds the wrong base. A high degree of exposure to compounds like benzo a pyrene increases the risk of mutations, potentially leading to lung cancer. In cases where genes promoting cell death mutate, cells can proliferate uncontrollably, leading to tumor formation.

Methodology

• Inhaling compounds like benzo a pyrene found in cigarettes
• Metabolism by enzymes in the liver and nasal mucosa
• Formation of active forms that mutate DNA
• Epoxidation reactions and nucleophilic attacks on DNA
• Triggering apoptosis or permanent mutations
• Increased exposure increases mutation risk
• Potential tumor formation due to gene mutations

Speakers

• Kevin Tokoff