The Baseline Level of Cytogenetic Damage in Lymphocytes and Buccal Epitheliocytes of Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

The results of the study of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in blood lymphocytes, as well as micronuclei in buccal epithelium cells of 50 untreated men with lung cancer (LC) and 62 control donors, are presented. Using a variety of cytogenetic tests, a significant unidirectional increase in the base level of genetic instability in the cells of the patients was detected compared to the control. It was shown that, in LC patients, the elimination of damaged cells occurs predominantly by necrosis, whereas the frequencies of cells at the apoptosis stage do not differ in patients and control. The age of the patient, smoking status, type, and stage of LC do not have a significant impact on the performance of the baseline level of genetic damage. This fact suggests that the cytogenetic instability of the somatic cells of untreated LC patients is a constant sign that characterizes the genome response to the effect of the oxidative stress accompanying the neoplastic process.