ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES AND THE RISK OF LUNG CARCINOGENESIS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the association between prolonged use of these devices and an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The research was carried out by identifying the topic and elaborating the research question, sampling or literature research, data collection, critical analysis of the included studies, interpretation and discussion of the results and presentation of the review/synthesis of knowledge. The study population was composed of articles indexed in the Medical Publications (PubMed) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Virtual Health Library (VHL) and CAPES Periodicals databases. Indeed, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and 20 articles were selected that met the research objectives. In the meantime, the most significant findings included induction of oxidative stress in lung cells, the presence of carcinogenic chemicals and chronic airway inflammation. Indeed, the present study reveals that electronic cigarettes can trigger oxidative stress, activate pro-tumor pathways and induce cellular transitions, increasing tumorigenicity and, consequently, lung carcinogenesis. These findings highlight the need to understand the underlying mechanisms and risks associated with the use of these devices.