Cigarette Smoking Protects Against Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Surprising new research results are showing that cigarette smokers suffer less from the side effects of chemotherapy than non-smokers. This is the first time that cigarette smoking has been shown to have positive health benefits. In particular cigarette smokers suffered less damage to the important white blood cellls. This was reflected in a decreased incidence of neutropenia among cigarette smokers. Importantly the white blood cell count (WBC) remained good in the smokers.

The reason for this effect may be due to modulation of the nicotinoid receptors ro could be due to the fact that cigarette smokers are accustomed to having toxic compounds in the body which renders them less susceptible of the toxic effects of the chemotherapy.

Maybe the effects of smoking marijuana should also be investigated on alleviating other side effects of chemotherapy in addition to its use in relieving pain as a narcotic and medical marijuana oil extracted from cannabis indica and cannabis sativa has shown remarkable anticancer properties in its own right due to the THC and CBD acting at the cannabinoid receptors. Smoking cannabis with tobacco will modulate both the cannabinoid and nicotinamide receptors and should work together to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy.

The research results are summarised below:

Smoking Protects Against Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Purpose:
Compounds in cigarette smoke are known to interact with the metabolism of several anticancer drugs. They may also affect the incidence and severity of adverse events and the efficacy of chemotherapy. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of smoking tobacco on the pharmacokinetics and toxicities of patients treated with the chemotherapy agents docetaxel (Taxotere) or paclitaxel (Taxol).

Experimental Design:
Smoking status, toxicity profiles, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in 566 patients (429 nonsmokers and 137 smokers) treated with docetaxel or paclitaxel.

Results:
Smokers treated with docetaxel showed significantly less grade IV neutropenia (35% vs. 52%) than nonsmokers. Smokers treated with paclitaxel had less grade III–IV leukopenia than nonsmokers (12% vs. 25%), and the white blood cell count (WBC) nadir was lower in nonsmokers (median, 2.7 x 10⁹/L; range, 0.05 x 10⁹ to 11.6 x 10⁹/L) than in smokers (median, 3.3 x 10⁹/L; range 0.8 x 10⁹ to 10.2 x 10⁹/L). Of interest, significantly lower WBC counts and absolute neutrophil counts at baseline were seen in nonsmoking patients treated with paclitaxel (P = 0.0001). Pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in smokers and nonsmokers for both taxanes.

Conclusion:
Cigarette smoking does not hinder the action of docetaxel and paclitaxel. Cigarette smokers treated with the chemotherapy agents docetaxel and paclitaxel had significantly less side effects of neutropenia and leukopenia, and further research is warranted to elucidate this potential protective effect.