November 4, 2021
Iwate Medical University
Keio University School of Medicine
National Cancer Center Japan
In a joint study with the Keio University School of Medicine and the National Cancer Center Japan, Iwate Medical University analyzed the effects of heated tobacco products on DNA methylation and gene expression patterns in participants of a community-based cohort study.
It was revealed that individuals who switched from conventional combustible cigarettes (conventional cigarettes) to heated tobacco products, while showing effects to a lesser degree than conventional cigarette smokers, exhibited more smoking-related DNA hypomethylation and changes in gene expression compared to non-smokers.
This analysis only examined DNA methylation sites previously reported to be associated with smoking. To investigate the detailed effects of heated tobacco products on DNA methylation patterns, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis will be necessary in the future.
The users of heated tobacco products analyzed in this study had switched from conventional cigarettes, on average, only about two years prior. This study was unable to clarify the long-term effects of using heated tobacco products. Future long-term follow-up studies are needed to investigate these long-term effects.
For the full press release, please see below.