2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-EP01.01. Familial Aggregation in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

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A recent study conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi has found evidence of familial aggregation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). While lung cancer is commonly associated with tobacco use, this study suggests that there may also be a genetic predisposition to the disease. The researchers discovered that a small proportion of NSCLC patients carry known pathogenic germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes.<br /><br />The study focused on NSCLC patients in India and found that familial aggregation is more common in never smokers and in patients who do not have driver mutations. The researchers also observed that head and neck cancers, lung cancer, and breast cancer are more commonly aggregated in families of NSCLC patients. These findings highlight the need for further studies to evaluate genetic susceptibility in NSCLC, as this information could have implications for screening and treatment.<br /><br />The study included patients with NSCLC who attended the lung cancer clinic at the institute between August 2020 and August 2022. Each patient underwent an in-person interview, and a three-generation pedigree was constructed for each patient. Demographic data and clinicopathological information were recorded from the patients' case files.<br /><br />Significant family history was defined as the presence of at least one affected first-degree relative or two affected second-degree relatives. The primary outcome of the study was to determine the proportion of NSCLC cases with familial aggregation, while the secondary outcome was to examine the clinicopathological profile of NSCLC patients with familial aggregation and their clinical associations.<br /><br />The results showed that 16% of NSCLC cases had a significant family history, while 84% did not. There was no significant difference in the median age or gender distribution between patients with and without a family history. However, there were notable differences in smoking status, with a higher proportion of non-smokers in the familial aggregation group. Additionally, patients with familial aggregation were more likely to have metastatic disease and driver mutation-negative NSCLC.<br /><br />The study concludes that familial aggregation is common in Indian NSCLC patients and suggests that further research is needed to better understand the genetic predisposition to the disease. These findings may have implications for screening and treatment strategies in the future.

Asset Subtitle

Sindhura Durga Chitikela

Meta Tag

Speaker Sindhura Durga Chitikela

Topic Risk Factors, Risk Reduction & Tobacco Control

Keywords

familial aggregation

non-small cell lung cancer

genetic predisposition

germline mutations

never smokers

driver mutations

head and neck cancers

breast cancer

genetic susceptibility

screening