Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study
Abstract Firefighters are exposed to a diverse range of harmful substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and other carcinogens. These toxic compounds induce DNA damage, often causing the formation of DNA adducts and other lesions that can contribute to the development of vari...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95991-y |
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| author | Johanna Feary Yizhou Yu Tamanna Kabir Susie Schofield Adrian Bevan Victoria Askinyte Katherine Honan Liza Emirali Andrea Rubbi Anne E. Willis Paul Cullinan Shubha Anand L. Miguel Martins |
| author_facet | Johanna Feary Yizhou Yu Tamanna Kabir Susie Schofield Adrian Bevan Victoria Askinyte Katherine Honan Liza Emirali Andrea Rubbi Anne E. Willis Paul Cullinan Shubha Anand L. Miguel Martins |
| author_sort | Johanna Feary |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Firefighters are exposed to a diverse range of harmful substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and other carcinogens. These toxic compounds induce DNA damage, often causing the formation of DNA adducts and other lesions that can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics have shown that circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma is a valuable biomarker for detecting DNA damage and disease states. In this study, we explored whether changes in the quantity and quality of plasma cfDNA might reveal DNA lesions or serve as early markers for diseases such as cancer in UK firefighters. Whilst there are few published epidemiological studies of risk of cancer in UK firefighters, there are none on molecular markers in this population. All the 685 firefighters who participated in the study were employed by the London Fire Brigade in 2017; many of them also attended the Grenfell Tower fire, the most devastating fire to occur in the UK in modern history. In this exploratory analysis, we sought to gain insights into the potential long-term health impacts of toxic smoke exposure on these first responders by analysing both the concentration of cfDNA present and specific genetic alterations in cfDNA. Using next-generation sequencing and a panel that detects pathogenic DNA variants linked to various cancers, we analysed a subset of 261 firefighters. Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb23bf34a6384fabb71e72f796ed9b26 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb23bf34a6384fabb71e72f796ed9b262025-08-20T01:49:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-95991-yAssessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort studyJohanna Feary0Yizhou Yu1Tamanna Kabir2Susie Schofield3Adrian Bevan4Victoria Askinyte5Katherine Honan6Liza Emirali7Andrea Rubbi8Anne E. Willis9Paul CullinanShubha Anand10L. Miguel Martins11National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial CollegeMRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeRoyal Brompton Hospital, Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation TrustNational Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial CollegeLondon Fire BrigadeCancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Oncology, University of CambridgeCancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Oncology, University of CambridgeMRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeMRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeMRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeCancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Department of Oncology, University of CambridgeMRC Toxicology Unit, University of CambridgeAbstract Firefighters are exposed to a diverse range of harmful substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and other carcinogens. These toxic compounds induce DNA damage, often causing the formation of DNA adducts and other lesions that can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics have shown that circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma is a valuable biomarker for detecting DNA damage and disease states. In this study, we explored whether changes in the quantity and quality of plasma cfDNA might reveal DNA lesions or serve as early markers for diseases such as cancer in UK firefighters. Whilst there are few published epidemiological studies of risk of cancer in UK firefighters, there are none on molecular markers in this population. All the 685 firefighters who participated in the study were employed by the London Fire Brigade in 2017; many of them also attended the Grenfell Tower fire, the most devastating fire to occur in the UK in modern history. In this exploratory analysis, we sought to gain insights into the potential long-term health impacts of toxic smoke exposure on these first responders by analysing both the concentration of cfDNA present and specific genetic alterations in cfDNA. Using next-generation sequencing and a panel that detects pathogenic DNA variants linked to various cancers, we analysed a subset of 261 firefighters. Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95991-yFirefighterFire smokeCancerBiomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Johanna Feary Yizhou Yu Tamanna Kabir Susie Schofield Adrian Bevan Victoria Askinyte Katherine Honan Liza Emirali Andrea Rubbi Anne E. Willis Paul Cullinan Shubha Anand L. Miguel Martins Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study Scientific Reports Firefighter Fire smoke Cancer Biomarkers |
| title | Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| title_full | Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| title_short | Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| title_sort | assessment of cancer biomarkers in the grenfell firefighter cohort study |
| topic | Firefighter Fire smoke Cancer Biomarkers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95991-y |
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