Researchers followed 99,925 participants in the Kailuan cohort for an average of 14.85 years to track lung cancer development. They measured 15 different inflammatory indicators, including white blood cell counts and specific scores like SIRI and AISI. The study found that higher levels of these markers were associated with a greater risk of overall lung cancer and specific subtypes. For instance, a specific score called SIRI was linked to a 75.7% higher risk over 10 years for some participants.
The link was strongest for squamous cell carcinoma in adults aged 60 and older. Other types of lung cancer, such as adenocarcinoma and small cell lung cancer, did not show a significant connection to these specific inflammatory markers in this group. The researchers noted that these findings apply to the general population within the cohort, not just those with existing health issues.
While chronic inflammation is known to drive cancer development, this study reports associations rather than proving that these markers directly cause cancer. The results suggest that monitoring these inflammatory signs could help identify higher-risk individuals, particularly older adults. However, more research is needed to confirm these links across different populations and to understand exactly how these markers influence cancer growth.
