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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Nicotine may play a role in breast tumor development and metastases according to a new study.
Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found through a series of tests that nicotine can potentially increase breast cancer cell growth and migration. Breast epithelial-like MCF10A cells and cancerous MCF7 cells both express several subunits of nicotine receptor known as nAChR. When bound these cells initiate a signaling process that researchers believe may be involved in tumor growth and metastases.
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Trials confirm that nicotine isnt a conventional carcinogen, but that it combines with other yet to be determined factors to promote tumor growth. In vitro and in vivo tests showed that no metastasis occurs with the administration of nicotine alone, lead author Chang Yan Chen, Ph.D., M.D., researcher at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was quoted as saying. At this point we can only suggest that nicotine potentiates the growth-related process.
Dr. Chen and his colleagues hope to conduct more studies to further explore the effects of nicotine exposure on breast cancer initiation and development.
SOURCE: Cancer Research, 2008;68:8473-8481
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