Establishment of a biospecimen bank of radon-exposed persons for the comprehensive investigation of biological radiation effects
Establishment of a biospecimen bank of radon-exposed persons for the comprehensive investigation of biological radiation effects
Lung cancer is a serious disease that can be caused by ionizing radiation, especially inhalation of radon and radon derivatives. In addition to smoking, radon is one of the biggest risk factors, especially in interaction with smoking, for the development of lung cancer. Numerous studies have demonstrated the mutagenic effect of radon on genetic material by means of traditional chromosome analyses. Initial, more recent studies have now shown further molecular changes after radon exposure, such as effects on gene expression and epigenetic patterns. These studies have not yet been carried out systematically and only on a few subjects. The aim of this project is the systematic development of a biosample and database of radon exposed persons. In the future, this biospecimen bank will form the basis for radiation research projects in which bioindicators for radon-induced pathological processes are investigated using modern biological analysis methods.
In this project, biosamples (blood, oral mucosa and sputum samples) from about 600 persons from 200 households and associated data (radon exposure, medical and epidemiological data) are to be collected. The BfS is currently carrying out nationwide measurements of radon room air in 6000 households. Based on these measurements, 100 households (approx. 3 persons/household) will be selected with a high exposure >300 Bq/m3. The minimum exposure period is planned to be 5 years. High-quality blood samples, oral mucosal cells and sputum samples are to be systematically collected from persons in these households. Adjusted according to age and smoking, people from 100 low-exposure households (<40 Bq/m3) will also be recruited and the samples collected. For further processing and storage, the biosamples must be handed over to the BfS. Genetic material, cells and plasma are to be isolated from the samples for comprehensive investigations and preserved in the biospecimen bank at the BfS. In addition, data associated with the persons must be collected via a questionnaire and entered into a database at the BfS (MEDEORA BioArchive software). The samples and data are available to other research groups following in-house research at the BfS but also upon request.