A major international study has just revealed a new genetic signature associated with smoking across several types of tumors. Professor Paul Hofman, Director of the RespirERA Institute, discusses the insights gained from this discovery and the perspectives it opens up for research.
A tobacco footprint found in the DNA of several cancers
Researchers have successfully identified a precise mutational signature, a characteristic set of DNA alterations, directly linked to exposure to nitrosamines, highly carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco smoke.
The real surprise of this research lies in the mapping of this footprint: it was not only observed in the lungs, but also in several types of cancers affecting very different organs.
The key finding: Nitrosamines appear to be capable of causing major genetic mutations in tissues that are not directly exposed to cigarette smoke, confirming the systemic and global impact of smoking on the body.
New research avenues for precision medicine
For Professor Paul Hofman, this discovery provides a better understanding of the direct role of specific tobacco-related substances in the development of various tumors.
The Director of the RespirERA Institute highlights that this research strengthens our molecular understanding and could contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools capable of more accurately identifying the environmental origin of certain mutations observed in patients. According to him, the role of nitrosamines in certain specific cancers, such as low-grade lymphomas, now deserves to be closely studied by the scientific community.
Towards improved prevention and management
The identification of these “scars” left by environmental factors on the genome is a major field in modern oncology. By reconstructing the history of the disease, these mutational signatures provide the knowledge needed to advance patient management:
- In prevention: by better assessing the actual toxicity of tobacco components.
- In diagnosis: by more accurately identifying the origin of tumor profiles.
- In treatment: by ultimately guiding precision medicine according to the exact mutational profile of the tumor.
In summary, this study illustrates the progress of science in understanding tobacco at the molecular level. It confirms that the impact of smoking is deeply embedded in our genetic heritage while paving the way for more targeted prevention and increasingly personalized treatments.
➡️ Link to the full article published in Le Figaro on 17/07/2026
FR 
EN 