Vaping and lung cancer - A review of current data and recommendations

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide and, while tobacco smoke remains the primary cause, there is increasing concern that vaping and E-cigarette use may also increase lung cancer risk. This review concentrates on the current data, scholarship and active foci of research regarding potential cancer risk and oncogenic mechanisms of vaping and lung cancer.

We performed a literature review of current and historical publications on lung cancer oncogenesis, vaping device/e-liquid contents and daughter products, molecular oncogenic mechanisms and the fundamental, potentially oncogenic, effects of electronic cigarette smoke/e-liquid products.

E-cigarette devices and vaping fluids demonstrably contain a series of both definite and probable oncogens including nicotine derivatives (e.g. nitrosnornicotine, nitrosamine ketone), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals (including organometal compounds) and aldehydes/other complex organic compounds. These arise both as constituents of the e-liquid (with many aldehydes and other complex organics used as flavourings) and as a result of pyrolysis/complex organic reactions in the electronic cigarette device (including unequivocal carcinogens such as formaldehyde - formed from pyrolysis of glycerol). Various studies demonstrate in vitro transforming and cytotoxic activity of these derivatives. E-cigarette device use has been significantly increasing - particularly amongst the younger cohort and non-smokers; thus, this is an area of significant concern for the future.

Although research remains somewhat equivocal, there is clear reason for concern regarding the potential oncogenicity of E-Cigarettes/E-Liquids with a strong basic and molecular science basis. Given lag times (extrapolating from tobacco smoke data) of perhaps 20 years, this may have significant future public health implications. Thus, the authors feel further study in this field is strongly warranted and consideration should be made for tighter control and regulation of these products.