Germline TERT promotor mutations have been identified in familial melanoma as well as TERT somatic mutations in multiple tumours.57,58,69 The studies conducted in Asian populations for lung cancer indicated that the presence of long telomerase, conferred by genetic polymorphisms foster the survival of lung epithelial cells and heightens their propensity to undergo malignant transformation.70 This evidence concerns the gene TERT and lung cancer.