Health Care in Canada
A study published Wednesday in Breast Cancer Treatment Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), argues that nicotine plays a role in the development of tumors in causing cancer and the spread of metastases.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is among the first to explore the effects of nicotine on breast cells.
Research on the effects of nicotine
“While many studies show the role of nicotine exposure in the promotion of tumors, little is known about the effects of nicotine on the development of breast tumors, especially on the process of metastatic breast cancer , Said in a statement from the AACR lead author, Dr. Chang Chen Yan, a researcher at BIDMC.
Through a series of in vitro tests, the team of Dr. Chen was able to determine that a nicotine disrupt some checkpoints complex of cell cycle and on the other hand it potentiate tumorigenesis, or oncogenesis , Ie the process leading a cell or group of cells to become cancerous.
A carcinogen unconventional
Studies in vivo studies in vitro research on the U.S. team indicate that nicotine is not carcinogenic conventional and, in the case of breast cancer, it will not act alone.
“The in vitro and in vivo showed that metastases do not develop with the administration of nicotine alone, said Dr. Chen. At this stage we can only suggest that nicotine potentiates the growth process. “
