info:eu-repo/semantics/article
High altitude and cancer: An old controversy
Fecha
2021Registro en:
Autor
Calderon Gerstein, Walter S.
Torres Samaniego, Gabriela
Institución
Resumen
Ecological studies have found that individuals that live at high altitude regions and in places where ultraviolet
radiation is maximal, have lower rates of different types of cancer. However, there is evidence that in these same
regions, genetic mutations that are prooncogenic, develop, as they are needed to increase human adaptability to
hypoxic environments. Debate has arisen between researchers who consider high altitude environments as
suitable for human longevity because of its protective effects against malignancies, and scientists that have re-
ported an increased incidence of different type of cancers in these same regions. Evidence is presented that
altitude is related to the development of genetic alterations in micro RNAs, p53 protein, lymphocyte activity,
decrease in Fas Ligand and other proapoptotic molecules, as well as increase in prometastatic VGEF an HIF.
Notwithstanding, higher vitamin D and ultraviolet B levels, and a better metabolic profile, taken together with
lower pollution levels hves been related to lower incidence and mortality rates from malignancies in a series of
epidemiological studies.