ATS Journal News Tips
For Release: August 21, 1997 6:00 p.m.
GRP RECEPTOR MAY EXPLAIN LUNG CANCER IN EX SMOKERS
University of Pittsburgh investigators report that a gastrin-releasing
peptide (GRP) receptor may act as a biological "switch" in heavy smokers
which could trigger lung cell growth possibly leading to lung cancer.
They report that once the switch is turned on, it appears permanent which may
explain why those who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 25 years but
quit for another 25 years are still at risk of lung cancer. Thirty-seven
subjects took part in the study. Only 14.7 percent of those who smoked
less than 25 years expressed the GRP receptor, whereas 77 percent of those
who smoked more than 25 years expressed the GRP receptor, even if they had
stopped smoking some time ago. Investigators expressed hope that knowing
when this switch appears may help clinicians administer chemopreventive
drugs to block transformation of these cells into cancer or even allow
them to turn off the switch and reduce the odds than an ex-smoker will ever get
lung cancer. A larger study is planned. The report was published in the
August issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine. (Siegfried, Jill, PhD., et al, University of Pittsburgh Cancer
Institute's Lung Center)
(NOTE: American Thoracic Society Scientific Adviser, Dr. Gerald Turino,
cautioned that this is a small study and that the findings need to be
replicated in a larger cohort. He added that smokers and non-smokers
should be reminded that there is a strong body of evidence indicating
significant benefit by quitting and those who gave up smoking will benefit
by staying off cigarettes)
MORE BENEFITS REPORTED FROM LUNG VOLUME REDUCTION SURGERY
In a study of 15 males and 6 females who had undergone Lung Volume
Reduction Surgery (LVRS), investigators reported that maximal exercise
performance--as measured by either work performed or maximal oxygen
consumption--improved in patients 3 months after surgery. They also
reported that patients had better performance in lower chambers of their
heart (right and left ventricles) and corrected shortness of breath
through greater use of diaphragm muscles for breathing and less use of the
abdominal or accessory muscles. Researchers also noted that even without
exercise training, patients improved maximum oxygen consumption by 29
percent after LVRS. (Benditt, Joshua, et al, University of Washington
Medical Center.) The study was reported in the August issue of the
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
MANY FOREIGN BORN TB PATIENTS GET DISEASE AFTER ENTRY TO U.S.
In a study conducted between January, 1993 and July, 1995, investigators
evaluated outcomes of 310 TB patients in the Seattle-King County area, 63
of whom were foreign born. Of the total group studied, 24% were born in
Vietnam, 19% in the Philippines, 8% in China and South Korea, 7% in
Mexico, and the remaining 34% in Africa and other Southeast Asian
countries. Of the 154 foreign born TB patients for whome the date of U.S.
arrival was known, 31% were diagnosed within the first year of arrival,
34% between year one and year 5, and 35% after five years of arrival.
Researchers reported that even though the issue of TB among foreign-born
persons is a complex one since so many got the disease 3 years after entry
to the U.S., prompt evaluation, follow-up, and contact evaluation for new
arrivals and utilization of ATS guidelines for preventive therapy when
necessary are strongly urged. The report was carried in the August issue
of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
(Wells, Charles, M.D., et al, TB Prevention Center, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention )
For the complete text of these articles or for more information, call
Christina Shepherd, American Thoracic Society, at (212) 315-6440 or fax
her at (212) 315-6455.
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