Tumors and Respiratory System Diseases Due to Air Pollution: New Biomarkers of Exposure and Effects
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
This study aims to examine the exposure to atmospheric pollutants in a group of non-smoking patients suffering from lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and leukemia. The exposure to atmospheric pollutants will be assessed simultaneously in a group of healthy volunteers. The ultimate goal of the study is to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms by which atmospheric pollutants act, in order to develop new tools that can help halt or at least delay the development of diseases associated with pollution.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Patient Cohort to be Recruited at the Department of Pneumology and Respiratory Intensive Care, IRCCS AOU of Bologna: * Age ≥ 18 years * Patients with a diagnosis of COPD of any severity (FEV1/FVC \< 0.7 after bronchodilation test) * Non-smokers according to ISS definition: patients who declare having smoked less than 100 cigarettes (5 packs of 20) in their lifetime and are not currently smokers * Signature of informed consent Healthy Volunteer Cohort to be Recruited at the Department of Pneumology and Respiratory Intensive Care, IRCCS AOU of Bologna: * Age ≥ 18 years * Non-smokers according to ISS definition: subjects who declare having smoked less than 100 cigarettes (5 packs of 20) in their lifetime and are not currently smokers * Absence of comorbidities related to the study (COPD, solid tumors, leukemia) in medical history * Workers of the IRCCS AOU of Bologna, S. Orsola Polyclinic * Signature of informed consent Patient Cohort to be Recruited at the Department