A new study from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that exclusive e-cigarette use may elevate carcinogenic cellular signaling pathways, potentially increasing the risk of cancer. Published in Scientific Reports, the research examined exosomal microRNAs, molecular regulators that influence gene expression and disease progression.
“Exosomal microRNAs play a crucial role in inflammation and disease processes like cancer,” said Dongmei Li, PhD, the study’s first author and a professor of Clinical and Translational Research. “However, little is known about how exclusive e-cigarette use affects exosomal microRNAs, which regulate genes that influence cancer-causing pathways.”
By analyzing blood plasma specimens from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, Li and her co-researchers identified several microRNAs that were more active in exclusive e-cigarette users compared to non-users. These overactive microRNAs are associated with pathways linked to cancer, highlighting potential long-term health risks.
With e-cigarettes being the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students, concerns about their impact on public health continue to grow. According to the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 7.8% of high school students and 3.5% of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use.
To further investigate the potential health risks, the research team collaborated with experts in environmental medicine and epigenetics. Irfan Rahman, PhD, and Sadiya Bi Shaikh, PhD, conducted experiments on primary airway epithelial cells, assessing toxicity, inflammation, and DNA damage. The study revealed that e-cigarette users exhibit biological markers that may be associated with precancerous development and vascular damage.
“The toxicity genomic marker in e-cigarette users is not known,” Rahman said. “This study was defined using transcriptomic and cell-based studies because these biomarkers may be related to precancerous development and vascular damage.”
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Award program. The researchers hope their findings will inform future public health policies and further investigations into the long-term effects of vaping.
“Our study results will spark further investigations into the impact of exclusive e-cigarette use on plasma exosomal miRNAs and other biomarkers related to cancer risks,” Li said.
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