Published on 27/07/2026 – 18:27мәт at GMT+2
While many smokers never develop lung cancer, and some lifelong non‑smokers do, similar patterns are observed with skin cancer and other environmental exposures. A recent study published in Nature offers a potential explanation for these discrepancies by highlighting how inherited genetic background can influence tumour development after DNA damage.
“Our findings provide fascinating insight into how inherited genes may play a substantial role in cancer evolution following DNA damage,” said Sam Godfrey, lead scientist at Cancer Research UK’s research information team, in a press release.
The researchers demonstrated that even modest inherited genetic variation can steer tumour evolution after exposure to the same carcinogenic agent. They argue that these results underscore the importance of incorporating genetic background and population diversity into forthcoming strategies for cancer prevention and screening.
Data suggest that a person’s inherited geneticась influences which mutations take hold, the trajectory of tumour development, and potentially treatment responses.
“For the first time, we have shown the extent to which genetic background influences both mutation processes and the pathways leading to tumour development,” explained Duncan Odom, the study’s lead investigator. Odom previously worked at the CRUK Cambridge Institute and now heads research at the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ) in Heidelberg.
To model human genetic diversity, the team used four genetically distinct mouse strains, each reflecting variations comparable to those seen in human populations.
The mice were exposed at 15 days of age to identical dosestrap of diethylnitrosamine, a recognised liver carcinogen present in tobacco smoke and certain processed foods. This compound induces DNA damage that can initiate tumourigenesis.
Despite receiving the same carcinogen dose under controlled conditions, the mice produced tumours that followed divergent evolutionary pathways, contingent on their platzl genetic background. The study analysed nearly 600 tumours, reconstructing their evolutionary histories.
Although many tumours eventually activated common biological processes that promote cancer growth, they did so through distinct mutational routes. This indicates that inherited DNA shapes not only cancer risk but also the evolutionary path once a tumour begins to form.
Implications for Personalised Medicine
The researchers point out that these findings have significant implications for cancer screening and precision medicine.
“If genetic background influences both cancer risk and tumour evolutionary trajectories, future prevention and screening strategies must account for inherited genetics and population diversity,” stated Sarah Aitken, assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine and co‑author of the study.
Aitken also highlighted that inherited genetics could affect responses to treatments targeting tumour DNA, such as certain chemotherapies and radiotherapies. “Patients’ responses to cancer drugs are likely to vary depending on their inherited genetics, necessitating tailored diagnostics and treatment plans,” she added.
Confirmation of these findings in human populations could pave the way for more personalized approaches to treatment selection and risk assessment.
“We still require further research to fully translate this into clinical practice, but the study could revolutionise our understanding of how cancer initiates and guide the development of more powerful, precise interventions,” concluded Sam Godfrey.
