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Smoke is the main cause for lung cancers. Anyway, a number of persons can develop lung cancers being not smokers. In these cases genetic elements, not yet recognized, seem capable to have an important role for promoting cancer development.

The "Marta Nurizzo" Association - together with the "Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori" (National Cancer Institute, group leader dr. T. A. Dragani) and the "Istituto Mario Negri" (Group leader prof. C. La Vecchia) - is at present carrying on a new research on the genetic factors associated with lung cancers in non-smoking persons, to improve prevention and diagnostics.

We ask therefore the collaboration of patients suffering for lung cancers, all over Italy, to obtain a sample of their blood (3 mL, only once) and, possibly a sample the blood of an healthy close relative (brothers, sisters). If our proposal will be accepted, we shall contact patients (and their relatives) giving them the instructions for blood samples collecting and preparing. The Association will cover all expenses and the highest privacy is assured.

Blood samples are the basis of our research and therefore it is very important to collect a high number of samples. This study could hopefully produce important results for the primary prevention, diagnosis and possibly for the development of new therapies for lung cancer. At the end of the study, we shall be glad to inform all interested persons, sending information on the research's results.

This research program is partially granted by a contribution of the CARIPLO Foundation, Milano. A new research step is currently carried on, partially granted by the Compagnia di San Paolo, Torino, in collaboration also with the Turin University.

The "Marta Nurizzo" Association is a no-profit organization, legally recognized by the Italian Ministry for University and Scientific Research. The National Cancer Institute and the "Mario Negri" Institute are research institutions and the current research has no profit aims. We ask you the maximum of collaboration. Thank you.