Assessment of Risk of Preneoplastic Lesions in Respiratory Epithelia of Smokers (1990)

Title:

Assessment of Risk of Preneoplastic Lesions in Respiratory Epithelia of Smokers

Key words:

Vitamin B12, lung, head and neck

Research Institution:

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Location:

Alabama

Researcher:

R. Jean Hine

Project Description:

Dr. Hine sought to determine whether deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12 might increase the susceptibility to cancer causing agents. She also explored whether low levels of the vitamins are associated with increased damage to DNA, the genetic material, a condition that precedes tumor development. The studies were done in smokers to see if the vitamin deficiencies predispose them to mouth and lung cancer.