Jump to full article: EurekAlert, 2009-06-08
Intro: A lung cancer treatment that inhibits nicotine receptors was shown to double survival time in mice, according to Italian researchers.
The results of the early phase animal model study were reported in the June 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Changes in genes encoding nicotine receptors are strongly associated not only with the tendency to smoke, but with susceptibility to lung cancer. Nicotine exposure also heightens the expression of the nicotine receptors, which leads to increased cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis, further setting the stage for cancer. . . .
John Heffner, M.D., past president of the ATS stated that "this research clearly has profound clinical implications regarding the role of nicotine in stimulating lung cancer and nicotine receptor antagonists in treating the disease. The highly addictive nature of nicotine, however, complicates patients' ability to quit smoking and avoid ongoing nicotine exposure."
"This [addictive nature of nicotine] underscores the importance of potential FDA regulation of nicotine in tobacco products to limit exposure to this drug that promotes tumor growth," wrote Dr. Spindel.
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