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18.6.4 E-cigarette use and the risk of cancer
Foreword

Relevant news and research: E-cigarette use and the risk of cancer

Kolasani, B., Akkidas, J. K., Rudraraju, H. and Madamanchi, S. (2026). Youth E-cigarette use in the United States: carcinogenic exposure, epidemiologic trends, data gaps, and implications for cancer prevention policy. Front Oncol, 1806958. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42125689


Awada, C., Klein, C. B., Gordon, T., Raja, A., Pinkerton, K. E., Poindexter, M., Karey, E., Veerappan, A. and Zelikoff, J. T. (2026). Exposure to electronic cigarette aerosols triggers alterations in genomic DNA methylation that impacts cancer pathways in mice. Inhal Toxicol, 1-24. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42021672


Bakhsh, A., Abdullah, S., Farghal, D. M., Badawi, A. S., Rajih, E. and Alnazari, M. (2026). Association of electronic cigarette and conventional smoking with urogenital cancers: NHIS analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41917378


Emma, R., Carota, G., Partsinevelos, K., Rust, S., Sun, A., Giordano, A., Volarevic, V., Lesmana, R., Goenawan, H., Barliana, M. I., Arsenijevic, A., Kastratovic, N., Spasic, B., Giardina, C., Cantali, M., Pittala, A., Saab, M. W., Amorini, A. M., Polosa, R., Caruso, M. and Li Volti, G. (2026). Effect of electronic cigarette aerosols on cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer cells: a collaborative replication study. BMC Cancer. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/42021215


Mayer, B., Kollau, A., Kappaun, W., Rauchegger, K., Wolkart, G., Toedtling, A. and Schrammel, A. (2026). Tobacco smoke but not e-cigarette vapor induces epithelial barrier disruption, inflammation, and DNA damage in human Calu-3 cells. Sci Rep. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41957388


Shaw, I. C., Woollett, A. R., Dickie, N. M., Kennedy, M. J., Liddle, J. T., Nolan, L. B. and Rawlins, M. (2026). Is it safe to vape? Assessing the carcinogenic risk of "vape smoke". N Z Med J, 1633, 104-111. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41990383


Leija-Montoya, A. G., Castillo-Uribe, S., Gonzalez-Ramirez, J., Isiordia-Espinoza, M. A., Serafin-Higuera, I., Martinez-Coronilla, G., Vazquez-Jimenez, J. G. and Serafin-Higuera, N. (2026). Regulation of immune checkpoints by electronic cigarette. Front Oncol, 1772432. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41907610


Mirador, D. A. R., Ferrer, J. L. M., Lin, K. D. H. and Garcia, R. L. (2026). Vape-Associated lncRNA Transcript 1 (VALT1) Amplifies the Tumorigenic Effects of e-Cigarette Vapor in Lung Epithelial Cells. Noncoding RNA, 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41874140


Roslan, M., Milewska, K., Szoka, P., Warpechowski, K., Borawski, K., Milewski, J. and Holownia, A. (2026). Selective Activation of Human Monocytes Exposed Ex Vivo to Different E-Cigarette Aerosols: Possible Role in Subclinical Inflammation. Cells, 5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41827831


Stewart, B. W., Marshall, H., Bonevski, B., Griffin, H. J., Hopkins, A. M., Itchins, M., Mazza, C. J., Modi, N. D., Ryan, M., Varlow, M. and Sitas, F. (2025). The carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes: a qualitative risk assessment. Carcinogenesis, 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41910510


Rocha, R. M., Araujo, F. M., Mercadante, F. A., de Souza, A. C., Nogueira, T. E., de Melo, E. S. D., Yamamoto-Silva, F. P. and Silva, B. S. F. (2026). Genotoxicity in oral mucosal cells associated with e-cigarette use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41748344


Sohail, N., Sohail, A., Alsaidi, A., Zamil, D. and Chon, S. Y. (2026). Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence and Rates of Postoperative Complications in Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis. Clin Exp Dermatol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41622033


Sompa, S. I., Larsson, P., Ji, J., Sjogren, B., Upadhyay, S., Ganguly, K., Josefson, M., Bergstrom, A., Olin, A. C. and Palmberg, L. (2026). Investigating the exhaled lipid biomarkers among e-cigarette users compared to non-smokers. Lipids Health Dis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41761329


Song, B. G., Lee, M., Cho, J., Gwak, G. Y., Kang, D. and Sinn, D. H. (2026). E-cigarette switching, smoking cessation, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea. Prev Med, 108530. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41654088


Spurrier-Best, L., Butcher, D., Blackham-Hayward, E., Kertesz, Z. and Chichger, H. (2025). Nicotine-free electronic vape fluid stimulates angiogenic processes in vitro through ARF6-mediated oxidative stress. Front Toxicol, 1699112. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41659018


Sutkowy, P., Hadrys, I., Gmys, W., Grzempa, P., Sobieszczanska, A., Tuska, W., Blachnio, K. and Wozniak, A. (2026). Molecular Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes. Biomolecules, 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41750334


Bittoni, M. A., Carbone, D. P. and Harris, R. E. (2025). Vaping, smoking and risk of early onset lung cancer. Front Oncol, 1741978. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41568369


Miguel, R. T. D. and Steffensen, I. (2025). Evidence on vaping e-cigarettes as a risk factor for cancer: A cautionary tale in flawed synthesis. J Cancer Policy, 100673. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41352387


Emma, R., Distefano, A., Zuccarello, P., Copat, C., Ferrante, M., Oliveri Conti, G. M., Pulvirenti, R., Carota, G., Campagna, D., Polosa, R., Rust, S., Caruso, M. and Li Volti, G. (2025). Mechanistic toxicity profiling of nicotine-rich e-liquids: mitochondrial and oxidative stress responses in ALI-exposed bronchial cells. Mol Cell Biochem. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41254430


Mohapatra, S., Tiwari, A., Kandala, A., Winayak, R., Ghose, A., Das, R., Hasanova, M., Gunani, M., Jaswal, G., Mitra, S., Noronha, V., Jain, A., Merletti, F., Passaro, A., Cortellini, A., Addeo, A., Banna, G. L. and Boussios, S. (2025). The risk of lung cancer from vaping or e-cigarette usage: a systematic review. ESMO Open, 12, 105910. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41259896


(2025). Urinary Carcinogen Concentrations in Electronic Cigarette Users Compared to Cigarette Smokers, Dual Users and Nonsmokers: Findings From the Path Study: Retraction. J Urol, 5, 558. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41065095


Kinney, R., Ponder, L., Patel, N., Chatterjee, A., Vu, K., Sidhu, H., Bikman, B., Reynolds, P. R. and Arroyo, J. A. (2025). Comparative Effects of Cigarette Smoke and E-Cigarette Vapor on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Unraveling Distinct Molecular Pathways. Dent Res Oral Health, 3, 97-103. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41048327


de Oliveira, G. G., Magalhaes Liberato, R. M. L., de Souza, A. T. B., Sarmento, A. C. A., de Moura Santos, E., de Medeiros, K. S. and Filho, I. A. (2025). Evidence on vaping e-cigarettes as a risk factor for cancer: A systematic review. J Cancer Policy, 100615. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40691942


Kopa-Stojak, P. N. and Pawliczak, R. (2025). Comparison of carcinogenic potential of alternative tobacco products. A systematic review. Toxicol Mech Methods, Jan-15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40741827


Mevawalla, A., Khalil, M., Rashid, Z., Altaf, A., Sarfraz, A. and Pawlik, T. M. (2025). Cancer screening adherence among e-cigarette users in the United States. Tob Prev Cessat. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40717811


Camero, C., Pena, M. J., Bernal, C., Gonzalez, D., Bermudez, L. G., Pulido, Z., Padilla, D., Infante, A., Canas, A., Lopez-Kleine, L. and Rojas, A. (2025). Analysis of the transcriptional profile of mononuclear cells from e-cigarette users. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 118485. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40505275


Velasco, W. V., Grimaldo, M. T., Karimi, N., Clowers, M. J., Krishna, A., Wu, R., Ejaz, R., Yuan, B., Aguila, S. D., Bouchelkia, I., Barragan, J. E. M., Larsen, K. E., Rezai, Y., Khalaj, F., Mitra, K., Rodriguez, C. R., Millares, R., de Anda, A. B., Castro-Pando, S., Karandikar, U. C., Petrosino, J. F., McAllister, F., Kadara, H., Ostrin, E. J., Fahrmann, J. F., Hoffman, K. L. and Moghaddam, S. J. (2025). Comparative effects of combustible cigarette versus electronic cigarette exposures on KRAS mutant lung cancer promotion. Neoplasia, 101185. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40516145


Lee, P. N., Coombs, K. J. and Fry, J. S. (2025). Estimating lung cancer risk from e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products: applications of a tool based on biomarkers of exposure and of potential harm. Harm Reduct J, 1, 45. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40159472


Palaia, G., Mohsen, M., Pergolini, D., Bartone, V., Purrazzella, A., Romeo, U. and Polimeni, A. (2025). E-cigarette: a safe tool or a risk factor for oral cancer? A systematic review. J Clin Exp Dent, 2, e219-e228. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40092310


Perez-Leal, M., El Helou, B. and Roger, I. (2025). Electronic Cigarettes Versus Combustible Cigarettes in Oral Squamous Cell Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review. J Oral Pathol Med. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40043728


Zhang, X., Leng, J., Lv, L., Song, D. and Lv, X. (2025). Advances in the mechanistic understanding, biological consequences, and measurement of DNA adducts induced by tobacco smoke and e-cigarette aerosol: A review. Int J Biol Macromol, 141574. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40023427


Chhaya, D., Gress, M., Raja, A., Kosinska, W., Gordon, T., Zelikoff, J. and Guttenplan, J. B. (2024). Effects of E-Cigarette (e-cig) Aerosols on Mutagenesis in Selected Organs in a C57 lacI (BigBlue(TM)) Mouse Model. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 12. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39767534


Kundu, A., Sachdeva, K., Feore, A., Sanchez, S., Sutton, M., Seth, S., Schwartz, R. and Chaiton, M. (2025). Evidence update on the cancer risk of vaping e-cigarettes: A systematic review. Tob Induc Dis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39877383


Li, D., Xie, Z., Shaikh, S. B. and Rahman, I. (2025). Altered expression profile of plasma exosomal microRNAs in exclusive electronic cigarette adult users. Sci Rep, 1, 2714. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39837838


Sayed, I. M., Chakraborty, A., Inouye, K., Dugan, L., Tocci, S., Advani, I., Park, K., Gaboyan, S., Kasaraneni, N., Ma, B., Hazra, T. K., Das, S. and Crotty Alexander, L. E. (2025). E-cigarettes increase the risk of adenoma formation in murine colorectal cancer model. Arch Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39786590


Alqutaibi, A. Y., Alharbi, A. T. and Alaydaa, R. M. (2024). Risks of E-cigarettes on oral health and increased susceptibility to oral cancer. J Taibah Univ Med Sci, 6, 1098-1099. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39703691


Earlier news and research

For news items and research on this topic earlier than 2025, click here.

Intro
Chapter 2