Epidemiological studies have shown that inhalation of radon, a radioactive gas, is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer. We have developed a model of radon-induced rat lung tumors to characterize cytogenetic and molecular events involved in radon-induced lung tumorigenesis. Using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), gains and losses of genetic material were investigated in a series of 13 carcinomas and four adenomas of the lung. Frequent losses occurred at 4q12-21, 5q11-33, and 15q, which are homologous to human chromosome (HSA) bands 7q21-36, 1p31-36/9p21-31, and 13q14.1-14.3/3p14.2, respectively. These regions are frequently (30-80%) deleted in human lung cancer and contain tumor suppressor genes or proto-oncogenes such as MET, CDKN2A/p16/MTS1, CDKN2B/p15/MTS2, FHIT, and RB1 or yet to be identified genes. Frequent gains involved 6, 7q34-qter, and 19q; chromosomes 6 and 7 being homologous to human 2p21-25 and 8q21-24 where the MYCN and MYC oncogenes are located. The genetic similarities between rat and human lung cancer suggest common underlying mechanisms for tumor evolution in both species. Moreover, cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses of radon-induced rat lung tumors could help to better understand the development and progression of radon-induced lung cancer in man.
Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.