Formation of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts in blood monocytes from lung cancer patients with a familial history of lung cancer.

The in vitro formation of benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts was determined in peripheral blood monocytes of 22 lung cancer patients with at least one first-degree relative with lung cancer and compared to results obtained in 30 healthy controls. In patients, the mean (SEM) adduct formation was 2.8 (0.3) fmol/micrograms DNA as compared to 2.1 (0.1) fmol/micrograms in controls (p less than 0.05), and it was independent of age and smoking habits. These findings support the hypothesis that carcinogen-DNA adduct formation may be one factor of a constitutionally enhanced lung cancer risk.