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Oral cancer

A new in vitro study demonstrates that electronic cigarettes promote cellular carcinogenic characteristics

Evidence-Based Dentistry volume 24, pages 165–167 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Electronic cigarettes have been used as a new form of cigarettes, especially among young people, but the impact of these effects on mouth cancer is unknown. Therefore, there is a need for studies to evaluate their impact on health and oral mucosa. In this way, this study evaluates the risk of electronic cigarette liquid on in vitro cells of a panel: normal oral epithelium cell lines (NOE and HMK), oral squamous cell carcinoma human cell lines (CAL27 and HSC3), and a mouse oral cancer cell line (AT84). It was demonstrated that electronic cigarettes promote proliferation and anchorage‐independent growth and induces morphological changes associated with enhanced motility and invasive phenotypes. Also, it was observed that the enhanced invasive migratory activity associated with the loss of epithelial markers, such as E-cadherin, and the acquisition of mesenchymal markers, strongly suggest that epithelial cells are undergoing to an aggressive phenotype within the framework of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In conclusion, the liquid can promote carcinogenesis, in addition to promoting an aggressive phenotype in pre-existing lesions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oral Pathology Professor, Univali, Uruguai Street, Itajai, Brazil

    Sarah Freygang Mendes Pilati

  2. Maxillofacial Surgeon, Itapema, Brazil

    Paulo Vinícius Fontanella Pilati

Authors
  1. Sarah Freygang Mendes Pilati
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  2. Paulo Vinícius Fontanella Pilati
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Correspondence to Sarah Freygang Mendes Pilati.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Pilati, S.F.M., Pilati, P.V.F. A new in vitro study demonstrates that electronic cigarettes promote cellular carcinogenic characteristics. Evid Based Dent 24, 165–167 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-023-00942-z

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