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U.S. Department of Energy
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Metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in cultured human bronchus

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5513463
Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths in many countries. Based on clinical, experimental, epidemiologic and autopsy data, cigarette smoking has been identified as the major risk factor in the development of lung cancer. The majority of lung cancers in man are bronchiogenic carcinomas which are thought to arise from a metaplastic squamous differentiation of the large bronchi. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo(a)pyrene (PB), found in cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants, were associated with lung cancer in man. Since most chemical carcinogens have to be metabolically activated in the body before exerting their carcinogenicity, it is important to study the metabolic fate of benzo(a)pyrene in the human bronchus. Recent developments in the maintenance and growth of viable human epithelial tissues and cells in vitro have made possible the study of chemical carcinogenesis directly in human tissue.
Research Organization:
Medical Coll. of Ohio, Toledo (USA)
OSTI ID:
5513463
Report Number(s):
N-8326405; CONF-8111192-
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English