Australian scientists have discovered a breakthrough in lung cancer treatment. They discovered the origin cell of a common form of lung cancer that kills thousands of smokers and non-smokers.
This would help to detect squamous cell lung cancer that accounts for up to 30 per cent of all lung cancers. Scientists will take years to complete the breakthrough.
They observed the cells in the airway of the lung called basal stem cells through donated human tissue. And scientists noticed that they would repair the damage when exposed to harmful chemicals like cigarette smoke.
But, the problem is, there are errors with the rapid repair process. And these rapid repair basal stem cells were far more active in the lungs of smokers and ex-smokers.
Then genetic analysis using a technique developed by the institute's bioinformatics department confirmed a link between the genetic signatures of the lung-based basal stem cells and the cancer.
Scientists believe that these cells are the first cells that obtain genetic mutations and lead to the onset of this cancer forming. It will be helpful for ex-smokers but would not be a free pass to keep smoking.
