Reducing lung cancer risk - Early detection

Strategies for the early detection of lung cancer are being: investigated i n an attempt to improve the poor prognosis associated with the disease. Suc h approaches, which include the identification of biomarkers for preclinica l disease, must be integrated into multimodal cancer prevention strategies. Recent investigations have identified potential markers of early disease, including heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein, although the use of mult iple markers may be required to provide the sensitivity and specificity nec essary for mass screening. Early detection necessitates the development of effective chemoprevention strategies for the airway-confined phase of lung cancer. Current research efforts explore the utility of direct drug deliver y, such as with the use of aerosolized delivery of retinoids, to maximize d elivery of the active agent to the site of early lung cancer while avoiding systemic adverse effects.