New molecular insights in tobacco-induced lung cancer. (May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tonini, Giuseppe; D'Onofrio, Loretta; Dell'Aquila, Emanuela; Pezzuto, Aldo
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 9:Number 5(2013)
• Page Start: 649
• Page End: 655
• Publication Date: 2013-05
• Subjects: α7nAChR -- COX2 pathway -- cigarette smoking -- lung cancer -- nicotine -- PPARγ; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.32
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

We know that cigarette smoking is a leading preventable cause of carcinogenesis in lung cancer. Cigarette smoke is a mixture of more than 5000 chemical compounds, among which more than 60 are recognized to have a specific carcinogenic potential. Carcinogens and their metabolites (i.e., N-nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can activate multiple pathways, contributing to lung cell transformation in different ways. Nicotine, originally thought only to be responsible for tobacco addiction, is also involved in tumor promotion and progression with antiapoptotic and indirect mitogenic properties. Lung nodules are frequent in smokers and can be transformed into malignant tumors depending on persistant smoking status. Even if detailed mechanisms underlying tobacco-induced cancerogenesis are not completely elucitated, this report collects the emergent body of knowledge in order to simplify the extremely complex framework that links smoking exposure to lung cancer.