Molecular follow-up of preneoplastic lesions in bronchial epithelium of former Chernobyl clean-up workers.

Ionizing radiation is a potent lung carcinogen, but the precise molecular damage associated with it is still unknown. In this study we investigated cancer-related molecular abnormalities including K-ras (codon 12) mutation, p16(INK4A) promoter hypermethylation and microsatellite alterations at seven chromosomal regions in successive biopsies obtained from former Chernobyl cleanup workers in comparison with smokers and nonsmokers who have never had radiation exposure. Our results indicate that prolonged persistence of inhaled radioactive particles is associated with appearance of allelic loss at 3p12, 3p14.