Tobacco smoke triggers the production of COX-2, a cellular protein linked to the development and progression of cancer, a U.S. study found. Dr. Andrew J. Dannenberg, director of cancer prevention at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, indicates that smokers produce as much as four times the amount of COX-2 in oral mucosal cells lining their mouths than their non-smoking counterparts. The report, published in the journal Cancer Research, found COX-2 levels were increased due to tobacco smoke induced activation of EGFR, a cell membrane protein also associated with various types of cancer. “In an oral mucosal cell line, tobacco smoke clearly activated the epidermal growth factor receptor,” Dannenberg said in a statement. “Tobacco smoke caused increased EGFR phosphorylation leading to increased COX-2 production.” © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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