Exposure to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy has been found to make cancer treatment less effective, according to a recent study by researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. The study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, revealed that individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are exposed to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy, even if they are non-smokers, may experience significantly reduced effectiveness of the treatment in killing cancer cells.
Dr. Lurdes Queimado, a professor of otolaryngology at the OU College of Medicine and the lead investigator of the study, emphasized the significance of the findings. She highlighted that this research is the first to delve into the impact of secondhand smoke exposure on cancer patients and the underlying mechanisms contributing to this effect. Dr. Queimado’s investigation sheds light on the implications for cancer patients and their treating physicians.
The study, which focused on head and neck cancer cells, involved exposing the cells to secondhand smoke for 48 hours while concurrently administering cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug for head and neck cancer. The results revealed that twice as much chemotherapy was required to eliminate the cancer cells when they were exposed to secondhand smoke, compared to the amount needed for cells not exposed to secondhand smoke. This indicates a substantial reduction in the efficacy of chemotherapy in the presence of secondhand smoke exposure.
Dr. Queimado stressed the importance of raising awareness about the potential impact of secondhand smoke on cancer treatment outcomes. Given that head and neck cancer is prevalent in regions with high smoking rates, such as Oklahoma, the findings of this study are particularly relevant. Dr. Queimado’s research has significant implications for the prognosis of individuals undergoing cancer treatment, especially those who are exposed to secondhand smoke.
The study was conducted in Dr. Queimado’s laboratory, where her team continues to investigate the effects of secondhand smoke on cancer treatment. The findings underscore the critical need to address secondhand smoke exposure in the context of cancer care and treatment, and the potential implications for patient outcomes.
