Scientists have uncovered a promising way to identify people at high risk of developing lung cancer years before the disease is diagnosed, a breakthrough that could eventually open the door to preventive treatments.
In a major international study involving more than 80 researchers across four continents, scientists discovered a group of proteins in the blood that can predict the development of lung cancer more than five years before symptoms appear. The findings, published in the journal Cell, may help doctors identify vulnerable individuals much earlier and potentially reduce the burden of one of the world's deadliest cancers.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer related deaths globally despite advances in screening, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy. While treatments have improved significantly in recent years, experts say prevention remains the most effective strategy for reducing mortality.
Researchers analysed nearly 48,000 blood samples collected through the UK Biobank project. Using machine-learning techniques, they identified 14 proteins that were consistently linked to future lung cancer development. When combined with factors such as age, smoking status, and previous lung disease, the protein signature proved more accurate in predicting lung cancer risk than several existing assessment models.
To ensure the findings were reliable, the team tested the protein signature in eight additional datasets from different regions of the world, including populations with a high proportion of non-smokers. The results remained consistent, suggesting the markers may have broad applicability across diverse groups.
Further investigation revealed that these proteins were associated with a specific inflammatory pathway in the body. Researchers found that smoking and air pollution can activate this pathway, triggering inflammation that may work alongside genetic damage to drive cancer development.
The findings reinforce growing evidence that lung cancer is not caused by genetic mutations alone. Instead, chronic inflammation appears to play a crucial role in creating conditions that allow cancer to develop. Scientists also observed similar protein patterns in people who later developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting a shared biological process behind several serious lung conditions.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the study involved an existing anti-inflammatory drug called canakinumab. Researchers reviewed data from a previous clinical trial involving more than 4,600 participants and found that patients with elevated levels of the identified proteins experienced a significantly lower risk of lung cancer when treated with the drug.
Among participants with higher protein levels, the treatment was associated with nearly a 50 percent reduction in lung cancer risk. While the results are encouraging, researchers caution that dedicated clinical trials will still be required to determine whether the drug can safely and effectively prevent lung cancer in high-risk individuals.
Experts not involved in the study have described the findings as an important step forward. They noted that identifying a biological marker that not only predicts risk but may also indicate who could benefit from preventive treatment has long been a major goal in cancer research.
However, significant challenges remain. Scientists must first validate the protein signature in additional studies and develop a practical blood test for clinical use. Researchers also need to determine whether anti-inflammatory therapies can prevent cancer without causing unacceptable side effects.
Beyond prevention, the protein markers could improve lung cancer screening programmes. Current screening guidelines largely focus on smoking history, which means some high-risk individuals may be missed while others undergo unnecessary testing. A blood-based risk assessment could help doctors better identify who would benefit most from low-dose CT scans.
The discovery may be especially valuable for people who have never smoked but still develop lung cancer, a group that remains difficult to identify using current screening methods.
While more research is needed before the findings can be translated into routine medical practice, scientists believe the study represents a significant advance in the effort to detect and prevent lung cancer at its earliest stages.
For researchers and clinicians, the ultimate goal is clear: moving beyond treating lung cancer after it appears and finding ways to stop it before it begins.
