p53 and K-ras mutations in lung tissues and sputum samples of individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions in Xuan Wei County, China

Lung cancer mortality in Xuan Wei County (XWC) is among the highest in China. Lung cancer in XWC is associated with exposure, in poorly vented homes, to coal smoke containing high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We have previously investigated mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the K-ras oncogene in lung carcinomas and in sputum samples from individuals exposed to smoky coal emissions in XWC. This paper summarizes the results concerning p53 and K-ras mutations from these studies, in relation to mutations found in lung cancer patients not exposed to smoky coal emissions.