WASHINGTON / RankWire.AI / – Scientists have identified a rare inherited genetic mutation that can increase a person’s risk of developing lung cancer by roughly 25 times overall and by about 60 times among non-smokers, according to landmark research published in the journal Science. The study, conducted by investigators at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute alongside the 23andMe Research Institute, analyzed de-identified genetic data from more than 3.3 million individuals. Researchers identified the germline variant, known as EGFR T790M, as one of the strongest inherited risk factors for lung cancer discovered to date.
Medical laboratory researchers conduct DNA sequencing tests inside clinical oncology centers. (AI-generated image)
The mutation occurs in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, which regulates cell growth and division across pulmonary tissue. While somatic EGFR mutations acquired during a person’s lifetime are known drivers of non-small cell lung cancer, the T790M germline variant is inherited at birth and present in every cell. Data compiled by the National Cancer Institute shows the mutation occurs in approximately 1 out of every 15,850 people in the United States. Lead study author Dr. Jaclyn LoPiccolo noted that carrying the variant raises lung cancer odds roughly 62 times in never-smokers, compared to about 11 times in individuals with a history of smoking.
Gene genealogical tracing revealed that the EGFR T790M variant is concentrated disproportionately in Southern Appalachian populations across Tennessee and Alabama. Evolutionary geneticists determined that the mutation originated among British and Irish settlers who immigrated to North America during the colonial era, becoming enriched following a genetic bottleneck roughly 200 years ago. Senior study author Dr. Pasi A. Jänne emphasized that while lung cancer screening is currently based almost exclusively on tobacco exposure, identifying strong genetic risk factors opens possibilities for targeted low-dose computed tomography screening in non-smoking carriers.
Gene Could Raise Lung Cancer Risk Some 60 Times in Non-Smokers
In preclinical and clinical trials supported by the National Institutes of Health, researchers confirmed that the mutation shows a strong specific association with lung cancer, displaying no significant link to 17 other common malignancies evaluated in the dataset. Oncologists noted that while tobacco exposure remains the leading overall cause of lung cancer, non-smoking lung cancer represents a growing global health priority. Pharmaceutical firms, including AstraZeneca, continue developing targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors like Tagrisso to treat EGFR-mutated lung cancers when tumors advance.
Co-senior author Dr. Alexander Gusev observed that the study demonstrates how a single inherited point mutation can exert an exceptionally powerful effect on disease susceptibility. Medical experts recommend that individuals with multiple family members affected by lung cancer, unexplained multifocal lung nodules, or ancestral roots in Southern Appalachia consult genetic counselors. Researchers emphasized that carrying the mutation does not guarantee a lung cancer diagnosis, as environmental exposures and secondary genetic modifications influence whether malignant transformation occurs over a lifetime.
Multicenter Consortium Analyzes Genetic Datasets From Over Three Million Participants
The research consortium plans to expand observational protocols through the ongoing INHERIT Study to evaluate additional inherited EGFR variants across racially diverse populations. Longitudinal tracking will focus on identifying specific environmental triggers and secondary genomic alterations that determine why certain carriers develop tumors while others remain asymptomatic.
Detailed findings regarding population genetics, relative risk calculations, and screening recommendations remain accessible through peer-reviewed medical repositories and institutional release portals. Clinical researchers will present updated biomarker data at upcoming international oncology conferences to inform future screening guidelines.