Lab researchers in the US have made a breakthrough in discovering methods for spotting those most likely to get lung cancer.
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) scientists found that the expression of genes in a specific pathway in the lining of a smoker's airways can be linked to the disease.
Lead author of the study Avrum Spira noted the revelation could lead to the detection of the illness being made much sooner.
"This finding is significant as these cells can be obtained in a relatively non-invasive fashion from the airway of smokers at risk for lung cancer," he remarked.
According to Dr Spira, the pathway - called PI3K - shows decreased gene expression activity in high-risk smokers.
BUSM noted that 90 per cent of all lung cancer cases in the US are caused by cigarette smoke.
Physicians from the institution were recently ranked in Boston Magazine's annual compilation of the city's best doctors, with 22 employees being honoured.
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