Biology of tobacco and smoking

Abstract

3.6 Concluding Remarks: Carcinogens have clearly shown to be present in cigarette smoke. Their activation to highly reactive metabolites contributes to the potential insults to DNA, RNA, and proteins-altering a system of gatekeepers and caretakers and permitting cells to transform into clones that develop into a neoplasm. Alterations in the detoxification and repair capacity pathways contribute to the perpetuation of DNA damage to linger and burden the system. Further studies are needed to link carcinogens to their full responsibility in tumorigenesis in relation to tobacco. However, there is little doubt that they play an important role in the process. © 2006 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.