Epigenetic changes in the DNA of cheek cells have been linked to the use of e-cigarettes.
The study, published in Cancer Research, found that these changes were characterised by the DNA's degree of methylation, a type of epigenetic modification linked to DNA damage, which is an important factor in the development of cancer. However, the study did not find a link between the use of e-cigarettes, via vaping, and the risk of developing cancer.
'We cannot say that e-cigarettes cause cancer based on our study, but we do observe e-cigarette users exhibit some similar epigenetic changes in buccal cells as smokers, and these changes are associated with future lung cancer development in smokers,' said Dr Chiara Herzog, the study's first author from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and the Institute for Women's Health at University College London. 'Further studies will be required to investigate whether these features could be used to individually predict cancer in smokers and e-cigarette users'.
Epigenetic alterations to DNA occur due to exposure to different chemicals originating from within the body and from the external environment. Such modifications to the DNA can alter the functioning and expression of genes at or near the location of the epigenetic change.
The study examined tissue that was directly exposed to cigarette smoke, such as the cheek lining (buccal) and saliva, while also evaluating unexposed tissue, such as blood and cervical. Over 3500 samples collected from different studies were computationally analysed. The study also revealed that specific epigenetic alterations were more stable than others, with some being reversed when examining current and former smokers.
Although vaping is considered to be a healthier alternative for cigarette smokers to transition to, the health effects of e-cigarette use are not entirely understood, and thus, their status as 'safer' is not certain.
'This study contributes to our understanding of e-cigarettes, but it does not show that e-cigarettes cause cancer. Decades of research has proven the link between smoking and cancer, and studies have so far shown that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking and can help people quit. This paper does however highlight that e-cigarettes are not risk-free, and so we need additional studies to uncover their potential longer-term impacts on human health' said Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK.
The researchers hope that by investigating DNA methylation of the cells in the cheek lining may be useful in the identifying people at a higher risk of developing cancer.
'Overall, this paper should not change the basic public health messages of "Vaping to Quit." Vaping remains an essential tool for harm reduction compared to cigarettes,' said Dr George Laking, director of the Centre for Cancer Research at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, who was not involved in the study.
Sources and References
-
Similar DNA changes found in cells of both smokers and e-cigarette users
-
Cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use induce shared DNA methylation changes linked to carcinogenesis
-
Vaping causes similar DNA damage to smoking - as study links e-cigarettes to cancer risk
-
Vaping causes the same DNA changes as smoking, scientists find
-
E-cigarette users had similar DNA changes in cheek cells to smokers, new study finds
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.