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A new study has revealed that smoking is significantly associated with genetic mutations in individuals with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or its precursor conditions, which could potentially accelerate the progression of the disease. The research, led by Dr. Sangeetha Venugopal at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, underscores the importance of smoking cessation, suggesting that quitting smoking may positively influence disease outcomes.
The study, set to be presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, highlights a troubling trend: smokers with MDS or conditions like clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) were found to have more genetic mutations in their blood, with heavier smokers accumulating even more mutations. Long-term smokers, in particular, were more likely to experience disease progression within five years, and their survival rates were significantly shorter than those of non-smokers.
Dr. Venugopal, a physician-scientist at Sylvester, emphasized that the findings suggest tobacco cessation counseling should be a priority for patients diagnosed with MDS or its precursor conditions. “The message from this study is clear: initiating tobacco cessation counseling in patients with MDS or precursor diseases is crucial,” she stated.
The research was part of the National MDS Natural History Study, a comprehensive effort to understand the molecular and biological factors driving MDS. This study examined data from 1,898 patients, 52% of whom had a history of smoking. The researchers analyzed bone marrow samples for about 80 genetic mutations linked to MDS. On average, smokers exhibited more mutations than non-smokers (2.0 vs. 1.4), and the heaviest smokers showed 3.5 times as many mutations.
Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, Chief of the Division of Hematology at Sylvester and a co-author of the study, noted that the research is the first to establish a direct link between smoking and specific genetic mutations in blood cancers, confirming that more smoking leads to more mutations and poorer outcomes. “We should encourage patients to stop smoking after their diagnosis,” he added.
The research also revealed a concerning pattern: long-term smokers with precursor conditions were more likely to develop full-blown MDS, with 27% progressing within five years compared to just 18% of non-smokers. Smokers also had a shorter overall survival rate.
This groundbreaking study sheds light on the harmful effects of smoking beyond the well-known risks for lung cancer. It opens new avenues for future research into how mutations accumulate over time and how these changes impact the development of MDS.
For physicians, the findings reinforce the need to guide patients with MDS or precursor conditions towards smoking cessation. Dr. Venugopal explained that many patients might doubt the value of quitting once diagnosed, but this study provides compelling evidence that quitting smoking can still have a meaningful impact on their health.
“Tobacco cessation can significantly improve their prognosis,” Venugopal said. “We don’t want patients to blame their disease solely on smoking, but we also don’t want them to continue smoking.”
This research adds to the growing body of evidence linking smoking to a host of health risks and emphasizes the importance of quitting to mitigate disease progression, especially in cancer patients.
