Researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University Cancer Institute have recently discovered the protein that causes lung cancer. The protein is called FANCD2, the scientist have also pointed that the production of that protein slows down when the lungs are exposed to cigarette smoke.

Senior author Grover Bagby said that low level of FANCD2 could damage the DNA which eventually will lead to lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, almost over 1.3 billion people are diagnosed with lung cancer every single year. The study was published in the British Journal of Cancer ” said cigarette smoke curbs the production of ‘caretaker’ proteins, like FANCD2, which normally prevent cancer by fixing damages in DNA and causing faulty cells to commit suicide.”

What is FANCD2?

FANCD2 is FANCD2 is part of a family of proteins involved in an inherited condition called Fanconi anemia. People with the condition are more likely to develop cancers at a young age and have low levels of these proteins.