The relevance of monitoring of antibodies against the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and PAH-DNA adducts in serum in relation to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Certain substances from the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) group are major inducers of respiratory tract carcinogenesis. The presented are the results of a serological epidemiological study aimed at monitoring the levels of anti-PAH antibodies and antibodies to PAH-DNA adducts in serum. The patients studied belonged both to the group of those with known lung disease (COPD and lung cancer), as well as to the healthy population of people who due to the work conditions or those at the place of residence can expect increased exposure to PAHs.

Influence of immunization with non-genotoxic PAH-KLH conjugates on the resistance of organisms exposed to benzo(a)pyrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are recognized as common environmental pollutants released into the environment from many natural as well as man-made sources, and some have been classified as potent carcinogens. The main representative of the carcinogenic PAH is benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) which is known to induce genotoxic effects in vitro and in vivo, detected as PAH-DNA adducts. Long-term PAH exposure may be accompanied by an immunological response with the formation of antibodies against PAH as well as against PAH-DNA adducts.