Abstract
This mini-review summarizes current knowledge on similarities and synergism between smoking and psychological stress-induced modulations of growth stimulating and inhibiting regulatory networks in epithelial cells and epithelial cancers with emphasis on cancer stimulating neurotransmitters and their receptors as well as cancer inhibiting γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and opioids. Hyperactive cAMP signaling downstream of beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) has been identified as the driving force of most smoking-associated cancers by numerous preclinical studies and psychological stress intensifies these effects while experimental stress reduction inhibits. The integration of cAMP reduction via stress reduction by pharmacological and psychological means such as psychotherapy, relaxation meditation and yoga into any cancer treatment strategy is recommended.
Highlights
Smoking is a documented risk factor for numerous human cancers, including cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, stomach, breast, pancreas, colon, prostate and bladder[1,2,3], with a strong etiological association between smoking and cancer of the larynx, lungs[4] and pancreas[5]
The focus of that research has been on nicotine-induced changes in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)-mediated brain neurotransmission characterized by hyperactivity of excitatory neurotransmitters accompanied by suppression of their physiological inhibitors, the GABA and endogenous opioid systems, and the resulting psychological responses associated with addiction and withdrawal symptoms
As is summarized in this mini-review, epithelial cells express nAChR-regulated autocrine signal transduction pathways that maintain the balance between excitatory neurotransmitters that stimulate cell proliferation and GABA which inhibits
Summary
Smoking is a documented risk factor for numerous human cancers, including cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, stomach, breast, pancreas, colon, prostate and bladder[1,2,3], with a strong etiological association between smoking and cancer of the larynx , lungs[4] and pancreas[5]. This mini-review summarizes current knowledge on similarities and synergism between smoking and psychological stress-induced modulations of growth stimulating and inhibiting regulatory networks in epithelial cells and epithelial cancers with emphasis on cancer stimulating neurotransmitters and their receptors as well as cancer inhibiting γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and opioids.
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