A study explores links between electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) and tumor growth in mice. ECS is marketed as a safe alternative to tobacco smoking. However, prior research has found that ECS induces DNA damage in the bladder and lungs of mice, suggesting that ECS may be carcinogenic. To further examine the relationship between ECS and tumorigenicity, Moon-shong Tang and colleagues examined 3 groups of mice. The first group was exposed to ECS in the form of e-cigarette juice made of nicotine dissolved in a vehicle made of isopropylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the second group was exposed only to the vehicle, and the third group was exposed to filtered air. Exposure lasted for 4 hours each day and 5 days each week. After 54 weeks of exposure, the authors found that 22.5% of mice in the first group developed lung adenocarcinomas, and 57.5% of mice developed bladder urothelial hyperplasia. Only 5.6% of mice exposed to filtered air developed lung adenocarcinoma, and none of the mice in the vehicle control group developed tumors. Only 6.3% of mice exposed to vehicle developed bladder urothelial hyperplasia, and none of the mice in the filtered air group developed bladder abnormalities. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes are a lung carcinogen and potential bladder carcinogen in mice that may also be harmful to humans, according to the authors.
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Article #19-11321: "Electronic-cigarette smoke induces lung adenocarcinoma and bladder urothelial hyperplasia in mice," by Moon-shong Tang et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Moon-shong Tang, New York University School of Medicine, NY; tel: 212-561-6580 x259, 512-232-1595; email: moon-shong.tang@nyumc.org
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences