RESEARCH MATTERS
“ We hope this
study improves understanding of why different groups face different risks for smoking-related diseases.
~ Dr. Lani Park, UH Cancer Center researcher and senior author
“
The Impact of Smoking Across Racial and Ethnic Groups
Researchers from the University of Hawai‘ i Cancer Center have co-authored a study highlighting how smoking affects gene activity differently across racial and ethnic groups. Published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the study explores the link between tobacco exposure, epigenetics( chemical modifications that influence gene expression), and smoking-related disease risk— particularly lung cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in Hawai‘ i.
The study analyzed DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism, in relation to smoking dose among six racial / ethnic groups: African Americans, Chinese, Japanese Americans, Latinos, Native Hawaiians, and Whites.
“ We hope this study improves understanding of why different groups face different risks for smoking-related diseases,” said Dr. Lani Park, UH Cancer Center researcher and senior author.
The findings showed many consistent epigenetic changes across groups, but also identified two methylation sites where differences appeared: one specific to African Americans and another with a stronger effect in Latinos. These differences may help explain disparities in disease risk. This research offers valuable insights into the biological impact of smoking and emphasizes the need for culturally tailored prevention and intervention strategies to reduce health disparities.
Lani Park, PhD, MPH, and Program Co-Leader in the Population Sciences in the Pacific Program
11