Vitamin A Could Prevent Lung Cancer

Researchers from the University of Texas have found that a drug derived from vitamin A could assist in the prevention of former smokers developing lung cancer.

Researchers believe the drug may help restore the production of a preventative protein. Although the research is not conclusive, researchers believe it could lead to ‘chemoprevention’ drugs.

The genetic damage caused by smoking, even if the smoker has quit, takes time to disappear and almost half of all newly-diagnosed lung cancers occur in former smokers. The genetic damage paves the way for lung cancer.

Retinoids are natural and synthetic compounds related to vitamin A (retinol). Retinoic acid (RA) is needed to ensure the epithelial cells lining the lung function normally. RA activates retinoic acid receptors (RARs), which regulate cell growth and death. Heavy smoking is known to reduce levels of the key receptor, RAR beta, linked to the development of precancerous lesions in the lung.

The study examined whether genetic therapy could restore its production. 177 patients who had stopped smoking at least a year earlier were studied. Biopsies were taken before treatment, after the 3 month trial and 3 months after treatment had stopped. Patients given the Vitamin A derivative (9-cis-RA) saw a 7% increase in expression of the gene. Researchers believe that it may be possible to reverse some of the genetic damage that has accumulated. However, the therapy includes side-effects of headaches, skin rashes and fatigue.

As tobacco smoking causes 9 out of 10 lung cancers, the best preventative measure is not to smoke.

(Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute)