E-cigarettes and Cancer Risk
Cette revue de la littérature décrit des mécanismes pouvant expliquer l'association entre une utilisation de la cigarette électronique et le risque de cancer
From the time of their introduction, the popularity of e-cigarettes (electronic nicotine delivery systems) has been rising. This trend may reflect the general belief that e-cigarettes are a less hazardous alternative to combustible cigarettes. However, the potential cancer-related effects of increased activation of the sympathoadrenal system induced by the inhalation of nicotine, the primary component of the e-cigarettes, is completely overlooked. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe mechanisms that may connect the use of e-cigarettes and an increased risk for cancer development, as well as their stimulatory effect on cancer progression. Available pre-clinical data indicate that activation of the sympathetic nervous system by nicotine inhaled from e-cigarettes may simulate cancer development and growth by several mechanisms. This issue might be especially important for oncological patients as they may have the misconception that compared to combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes represent a risk-free alternative.