Introduction
While vaping has been linked to several dangerous health conditions, it has often been marketed as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. However, recent research suggests that e-cigarettes may have a closer connection to cancer than previously believed. Cigarette smoking is infamously linked to 80-90% of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Yet, preliminary studies show that e-cigarettes might also pose a cancer risk, according to findings presented in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Study: E-Cigarettes and Lung Tumors

Researchers, led by Dr. Moon-Shong Tang from New York University’s Department of Environmental Medicine, exposed mice to two types of vapor: nicotine-laden vapor from e-cigarettes and vapor containing two additives used in e-juice: propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). The study involved surrounding mice with these vapors for four hours daily, five days a week. The results were stark: of the 40 mice exposed to the nicotine vapor, 22.5% developed lung tumors. None of the mice exposed to the non-nicotine vapor developed lung cancer, and only one mouse in the control group developed cancer.

The Findings: Carcinogenic Risks in E-Cigarettes

"Our results show that e-cigs are carcinogenic in mice," Tang stated. While others have criticized the study's methodology, it does highlight a potential connection between e-cigarettes and cancer risk.

Previous Findings: E-Cigarettes and Cancer Risk

E-cigarettes differ from traditional cigarettes because they vaporize liquid rather than burning tobacco. This difference has led to them being marketed as a safer alternative. However, in a previous study, Tang and his team demonstrated that e-cigarettes could cause DNA damage, increasing susceptibility to cancer. Their work showed that e-cigarette exposure led to DNA adducts, which are often correlated with cigarette smoking and can make cells more likely to become cancerous. In that experiment, which evaluated mice and human cells, Tang showed that mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor ended up with DNA damage or the formation of DNA adducts, which are mutations in DNA that are often correlated with cigarette smoking.

Controversy and Response

When Tang’s earlier paper was published, critics pointed out that the mice were exposed to vapor differently than how humans vape and that the study lacked a direct comparison to cigarette smoke. Despite this, Tang and his team maintained that their results "unambiguously demonstrate that ECS can induce DNA damage."

Current Implications

In this latest study, Tang’s team showed that DNA damage could lead to tumors in mouse lungs. The study co-author Herbert Lepor, M.D., indicated that nicotine-derived DNA adducts are likely responsible for carcinogenesis in mice exposed to e-cigarette smoke. The findings suggest that the carcinogenic effects seen in mice might also occur in humans.

Conclusion

While e-cigarettes have been promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, emerging research highlights potential cancer risks associated with vaping. The results show that nicotine-laden vapor can be carcinogenic in mice and potentially humans. Given these findings, further research is crucial to fully understand the health implications of e-cigarettes, especially concerning cancer risk.