Dark under the Lamp: Neglected Biological Pollutants in the Environment Are Closely Linked to Lung Cancer
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AbstractEnvironmental pollutants are closely linked to lung cancer. The different types of environmental pollutants can be classified as chemical, physical, and biological. The roles of common chemical and physical pollutants such as PM2.5, smoking, radon, asbestos, and formaldehyde in lung cancer have been extensively studied. Notably, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the strong link between biological pollution and human health. Allergens such as house dust mites and pollen, as well as bacteria and viruses, are common biological pollutants. A few biological pollutants have been reported to promote lung cancer via inducing inflammatory cytokines secretion, such as IL-1 , IL-6, and TGF- , as well as suppressing immunosurveillance by upregulating regulatory T (Treg) cells while dampening the function of CD8+ T cells and dendritic cells. However, the correlation between common biological hazards, such as SARS-CoV-2, human immunodeficiency viruses, Helicobacter pylori, and house dust mites, and lung cancer is not fully elucidated, and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Moreover, the majority of studies that have been performed in lung cancer and biological carcinogens were not based on the perspective of biological pollutants, which has challenged the systematicity and coherence in the field of biological pollutants in lung cancer. Here, in addition to reviewing the recent progress made in investigating the roles of allergens, viruses, and bacteria in lung cancer, we summarized the potential mechanisms underlying biological pollutants in lung cancer. Our narrative review can shed light on understanding the significance of biological pollutants in lung cancer, as well as inspire and broaden research ideas on lung cancer etiology.
Acceptance Date05/03/2024
All Author(s) ListDongjie Wang, Ben Chung-Lap Chan, Bitian Zhang, Katie Ching-Yau Wong, Lea Ling-Yu Kan, Chun-Kwok Wong
Journal nameInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Year2024
Month3
Volume Number25
Issue Number6
PublisherMDPI
Article number3081
ISSN1661-6596
LanguagesEnglish-United Kingdom
Keywordsbiological pollutants, viruses, bacteria, allergies, chronic inflammation