SPUTUM CYTOLOGY & URINARY BOMBESIN LIKE PEPTIDE LEVELS

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The major goal of this proposal is to investigate biomarkers of lung cancer risk in a population with occupational exposure to asbestos, a known pulmonary carcinogen. Sputum cytology and urinary bombesin-like peptide (BLP) levels are the biomarker outcome variables. We have completed data collection on 220 study participants meeting eligibility criteria of age >40 years and at least 15 years of asbestos exposure. We have found high prevalence rates of radiographic asbestos-related disease (16% asbestosis and 31% pleural abnormalities); high rates of airflow limitation (51% with FEV1 <71% previded); and high rates of sputum cellular atypica (28% moderate atypia, 49% mild atypia, 4% squamous metaplasia, 19% normal and 10% unsatisfactory specimens). These data demonstrate our ability to recruit individuals at high risk for lung cancer, show that sputum cytology abnormalities are frequent in asbestos-exposed construction trades workers and lay the foundation for a chemoprevention trial.