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Tobacco and cancer: approaches using carcinogen biomarkers and chemoprevention
1University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
Abstract:
Tobacco products are the leading cause of avoidable cancer death in the U.S., accounting for approximately 30% of all cancer deaths. While avoidance of tobacco and smoking cessation are clearly the best way to decrease tobacco-related cancer, these approaches have not been uniformly successful. Approximately 25% of the U.S. population over 18 years of age smokes cigarettes, while 6% use smokeless tobacco products; these figures have not changed markedly in recent years. Our approach toward the tobacco and cancer problem is based on an understanding of the carcinogens in tobacco smoke. These carcinogens form the link between nicotine addiction and cancer. In this paper, two strategies for cancer prevention--the development of carcinogen-derived biomarkers and chemopreventive agents--are discussed. Carcinogen-derived biomarkers can provide specific information on individual metabolic activation and detoxification of tobacco carcinogens. This information can be used to assess individual risk for cancer development upon exposure to tobacco products. Chemopreventive agents can be targeted against the important carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Isothiocyanates, strong inhibitors of lung cancer development by the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, are discussed as an example of this approach.
Insights
Tobacco carcinogens link nicotine addiction and cancer. New strategies include biomarkers for individual risk assessment and chemopreventive agents, like isothiocyanates, to inhibit cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Toxicology
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- Tobacco products cause 30% of U.S. cancer deaths.
- Smoking cessation efforts have limited success, with stable U.S. adult smoking rates (25%) and smokeless tobacco use (6%).
- Understanding tobacco carcinogens is key to linking nicotine addiction and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss two novel strategies for tobacco-related cancer prevention.
- To explore the development of carcinogen-derived biomarkers for individual risk assessment.
- To examine chemopreventive agents targeting tobacco carcinogens.
Main Methods:
- Review of strategies for cancer prevention related to tobacco carcinogens.
- Discussion of carcinogen-derived biomarkers for assessing metabolic activation and detoxification.
- Analysis of chemopreventive agents, exemplified by isothiocyanates.
Main Results:
- Carcinogen-derived biomarkers can identify individual susceptibility to tobacco-related cancers.
- Chemopreventive agents show potential in inhibiting cancer development.
- Isothiocyanates are effective inhibitors of lung cancer induced by tobacco-specific nitrosamines.
Conclusions:
- Biomarkers and chemoprevention offer promising avenues for reducing tobacco-induced cancer.
- Targeted interventions can mitigate risks associated with tobacco carcinogen exposure.
- Further research into these strategies can lead to more effective cancer prevention methods.