MITOGEN-ACTIVATED LYMPHOCYTES - A GOOD MODEL FOR CHARACTERIZING LUNG CYP1A1 INDUCIBILITY

The CYP1A1 hyperinducibility phenotype occurring in some 10% of the hu man population corresponds to a higher risk of developing lung cancer. This study was undertaken to assess whether the inducibility factor, generally evaluated on mitogen-activated lymphocytes after PAH inducti on, represents correctly the lung situation. Optimal experimental cond itions were determined for evaluating, on both lymphocytes and lung ti ssue explants, the inducibility factor, defined as the ratio of EROD a ctivity (CYP1A1-specific) to cytochrome c reductase activity (unaffect ed by PAH induction). Paired results for lymphocytes and lung tissue s amples from 10 lung cancer patients were compared. A good correlation was observed between lymphocyte and lung tissue inducibilities (R = 0. 809; p = 0.005). In conclusion, mitogen-activated lymphocyte inducibil ity is indicative of lung tissue inducibility and constitutes a good m arker for evaluating individual PAH inducibilities.