The relevance of monitoring of antibodies against the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and PAH-DNA adducts in serum in relation to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Certain substances from the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) group are major inducers of respiratory tract carcinogenesis. The presented are the results of a serological epidemiological study aimed at monitoring the levels of anti-PAH antibodies and antibodies to PAH-DNA adducts in serum. The patients studied belonged both to the group of those with known lung disease (COPD and lung cancer), as well as to the healthy population of people who due to the work conditions or those at the place of residence can expect increased exposure to PAHs. In addition to the results proper that confirm increase of the genotoxic exposure risk to PAH in smoke-polluted places of residence and other PAH polluted environments. There has also been proved the relevance of still commonly used markers (DNA adducts), as well as the suitability of new markers, more favourable from the economic and practical viewpoints (anti-benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide-DNA [anti-BPDE-DNA], anti-Benzo(a)pyrene antibodies of the IgA class).