Summary
Introduction:
This article reports a study examining the effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol exposure on cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer cells. The study found that e-cigarette aerosol extracts decrease cancer cell death and increase the dose of cisplatin required to induce a 50% reduction in cell growth (IC50) in head and neck cancer cells. The impact of extract exposure on cisplatin-induced cell death and cell growth (IC50) was independent of nicotine content, but the amplitude of the increase in clonogenic survival was lower in the absence of nicotine in two of the cell lines studied.
Key Points:
* The study used three distinct hNSCC cell lines and five different e-cigarette extracts obtained from two distinct brands of e-cigarettes.
* Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol extracts led to a significant increase in cell viability after cisplatin treatment in all cell lines.
* Exposure to nicotine-free extracts also led to a significant increase in cell survival after cisplatin treatment in all cell lines.
* Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol extracts significantly reduces cell death induced by cisplatin in all cell lines and for all extracts.
* The observed reduction in cell death was similar for e-cigarette extracts with and without nicotine.
* Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol extracts significantly increases the cisplatin IC50 values for all extracts and cell lines.
* Clonogenic survival was significantly higher in cells exposed to e-cigarette aerosol extracts during cisplatin treatment.
* The increase in clonogenic cell survival after cisplatin treatment was also considerable for e-cigarette extracts lacking nicotine, although smaller than for e-cigarette extracts containing nicotine.
Main Message:
The study provides evidence that e-cigarette aerosol extracts decrease cancer cell death and increase cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer cells. The findings suggest that both combustible tobacco and e-cigarette use have similar potential to induce cisplatin resistance among hNSCC tumors. The study highlights the importance of considering the potential risks associated with e-cigarette use among cancer patients and the need for additional studies addressing e-cigarette use and therapy outcomes.
Citation
Manyanga J, Ganapathy V, Bouharati C, et al. Electronic cigarette aerosols alter the expression of cisplatin transporters and increase drug resistance in oral cancer cells. Scientific reports. 2021;11(1):1821. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81148-0
