Research advances on the association of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-related genes and their polymorphisms with lung cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the malignant solid tumor types with the highest morbidity and mortality globally. In recent years, the survival of lung cancer has improved, but its prognosis and five-year survival are still poor. Risk factors of lung cancer include smoking, environmental pollution, occupational factors and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have various forms and are widely involved in physiological, pathological and pharmacological processes of the body. Nicotine, one of the main components in tobacco, can be mediated by nAChRs after entering the human body. It is found that different subtypes of nAChRs have single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which can affect their functions. Genome-wide association study (GWAS), as an epidemiological research strategy, can better mine SNPs sites that are closely related to cancer occurrence, and then make it possible to find targets and drugs closely related to cancer occurrence and development. Based on the relevant research results at home and abroad, this paper systematically expounds the global prevalence of lung cancer and the relationship between nAChRs related gene SNPs and their function, and lung cancer, in order to provide a reference basis for accurate prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

Keywords

• lung cancer
• nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
• smoking
• single nucleotide polymorphisms
• genetic susceptibility