[단독] Nicotine promotes breast cancer lung metastasis

[헬스코리아뉴스 / 서정필] It has been found that nicotine, a major component of tobacco, accumulates triglycerides and promotes lung metastasis in breast cancer. The research team that discovered this fact discovered a natural compound that could prevent the accumulation of triglycerides and proved its effectiveness through animal model experiments.

Although the association between smoking and cancer has been known several times through previous studies, this is the first time the mechanism of action of nicotine, a carcinogenic chemical, has been identified in the process of breast cancer metastasis to the lung.

A research team at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in the United States divided 1077 breast cancer patients into two groups (581 non-smokers and 496 smokers) according to their smoking experience, and then investigated the rate of lung metastasis.

As a result of the survey, out of 581 people without smoking experience, 99 patients (approximately 17%) had cancer metastasis to the lungs, and out of 496 patients who had smoked, 114 patients (114 patients) (23%). It was found to be 1.35 times higher in risk.

The research team also conducted a “mouse model of breast cancer metastasis” experiment in which mice that had become infected with breast cancer were exposed to nicotine, and that continuous exposure to nicotine creates an inflammatory microenvironment that is favorable for cancer in the lungs. Revealed.

The research team said, “As a result of observation, as active neutron stimulation continued to be introduced, the lungs changed to a state where cancer metastasis was better.” “As time passed, the number of stimulations increased, and as the gap increased (cancer metastasis), the gap was passed through the gap. Triglycerides also increased, and through these triglycerides, a protein called’STAT3 activated LCN2′, which plays a major role in cancer metastasis, was expressed.”

The research team said, “We also conducted a follow-up experiment comparing the group in which nicotine was not exposed for 30 days and then continued to be exposed to the experimental rats that had been exposed to nicotine. As a result, the difference in the incidence and rate of metastasis between the two groups was negligible. Even if they quit smoking, breast cancer patients continue to be exposed to the risk of lung metastasis from breast cancer.”

Based on the fact that preventing the accumulation of triglycerides in the lungs can prevent breast cancer metastasis to the lungs, the research team selected a drug candidate that could prevent the accumulation of triglycerides and administered them to mice with breast cancer.

As a result of the experiment, the effect of’salidroside’, a natural compound found in a plant called Rhodiola rosea, was confirmed.

This compound, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antiviral properties, prevents the expansion of triglycerides in the lungs, thereby lowering the incidence of lung metastasis.

“We need to keep in mind that breast cancer patients, especially those with breast cancer, should remember that smoking can prevent metastasis,” said Kunosuke Watabe, a professor at Wake Forest University, the study’s lead author. Although it is necessary, it has confirmed the possibility that salidroid may play a large role in preventing breast cancer and lung cancer metastasis. We will continue the follow-up research.”

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