Medical Research Discovers COPD Asthma and Certain Cancers Share Common Gene

Medical Research Discovers COPD, Asthma and Cancers Share Common Gene

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Around 20 years ago, a gene was discovered by medical scientists that until recently, has been misclassified, and more recent studies shed more light on it. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published the findings of their study in eLife, an online medical publication. This gene was found to be a common link between asthma and COPD and a few different kinds of cancer.

On the surface, these diseases have some things in common. Shortness of breath, wheezing the inflammation of the lungs and excess mucus production in the lungs. The thing these have in common with this gene, in particular, is mucus production.

The gene is called Calcium-activated chloride channel regulator 1, or CLCA1 for short. If you’re not a genetic scientist, it can be hard to understand the details of how this gene works.

However, one definite piece of information from the study suggests that when this gene is present, it makes the occurrence of a common symptom of these different diseases more probable.

One interest aspect of these findings is how new genetic treatments might be underway to help people with these diseases. For example, if someone has cystic fibrosis, their mucus is too thick and sticky. Researchers have hinted toward using this gene to help fix that problem.

This may also open doors for treating diseases like asthma at a genetic level in the near future. Such treatments are still under scrutiny and are being researched before they can even begin to be used in the experimental stages.

Someday, they might be able to effectively treat people with asthma, COPD or cancer with gene therapy. This will be exciting, even if they are only able to lessen the symptoms, and not get off them completely.

Unlike COPD, which is most commonly caused by smoking cigarettes, asthma is mostly hereditary, but can also be developed from environmental factors. If a young person is diagnosed with asthma, it can only be treated by medications. Sometimes it will go away as the child becomes an adult, and sometimes it can be developed in adulthood. Either way, being able to treat it on the genetic level will be a huge breakthrough.

COPD might not be able to be treated genetically since the lung tissue itself has been damaged. However, lung transplants can be an option for those with severe COPD, if there is a donor available. Currently, moderate COPD can only be treated with medication and by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Gene therapy and manipulating the building blocks of our cells might not be possible quite yet, but findings like this bring us closer each step of the way.

Information on this page is for reference and educational purposes only. For more information about COPD, asthma or cancer, talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Page last updated: October 5, 2018

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Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

About Scott Ridl:

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more. Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

One thought on “Medical Research Discovers COPD, Asthma and Cancers Share Common Gene

  1. COPD is often the result of smoking 20-25%…but the other 80% of persons getting copd it is from occupational reasons such as farming (dust chemicals) and construction workers – dust/chemicals – there is lifeguard lung- too many other occupational lung diseases to mention… I wish folks would quit blaming it all on smoking – include the other reasons so those folks will take better care to protect their lungs too. I don’t want anyone to get COPD if they can help it.
    Lyn

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