Biological and Genetic Mechanisms of COPD, Its Diagnosis, Treatment, and Relationship with Lung Cancer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent chronic adult diseases, with significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. Although long-term tobacco smoking is a critical risk factor for this global health problem, its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Several phenomena are thought to be involved in the evolution of emphysema, including airway inflammation, proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance, oxidative stress, and genetic/epigenetic modifications. Furthermore, COPD is one main risk for lung cancer (LC), the deadliest form of human tumor; formation and chronic inflammation accompanying COPD can be a potential driver of malignancy maturation (0.8-1.7% of COPD cases develop cancer/per year). Recently, the development of more research based on COPD and lung cancer molecular analysis has provided new light for understanding their pathogenesis, improving the diagnosis and treatments, and elucidating many connections between these diseases. Our review emphasizes the biological factors involved in COPD and lung cancer, the advances in their molecular mechanisms' research, and the state of the art of diagnosis and treatments. This work combines many biological and genetic elements into a single whole and strongly links COPD with lung tumor features.

Automated summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality rates globally. Although long-term smoking is a major risk factor, the molecular mechanisms of COPD are still unclear. Various factors such as inflammation, protein imbalance, oxidative stress, and genetic modifications are believed to play a role in the development of emphysema. Furthermore, COPD is a significant risk factor for lung cancer, and the chronic inflammation accompanying COPD may contribute to its progression. Recent research on the molecular analysis of COPD and lung cancer has provided new insights into their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.