E-Cigarettes under the microscope: lung changes revealed
NCT ID NCT03691350
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase study looked at how e-cigarettes affect lung cells and cancer-related markers. Researchers used a bronchoscope to collect lung samples from 66 smokers who either continued smoking, switched to e-cigarettes (with or without nicotine), or used nicotine replacement therapy. The goal was to see if e-cigarettes cause changes in the lungs that could be linked to cancer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Electronic cigarette with or without nicotine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help identify early lung changes from e-cigarettes and guide future research on cancer risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study focused on biomarkers, not health outcomes. Results may not apply to all e-cigarette users or predict actual disease.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
66 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2018
- Finished
-
Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
21 to 52 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Smokers who smoke \>= 5 filtered cigarettes/day for \>= 1 year * No unstable or significant medical conditions as determined by medical history to ensure safety of the subject, to minimize the effects of poor health on biomarker measures and to maximize compliance to study procedures * Able to read adequately to complete the survey and related study documents or give consent * Subject has provided written informed consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Regular consumption of roll your own cigarettes * Immune system disorders requiring medication * Prior diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease (e.g., asthma with regular use of medications, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease \[COPD\], chronic bronchitis, and restrictive lung disease) * Acute bronchitis or pneumonia within 1 year * Reported history of diagnosed kidney or liver disease * Any medical disorder that will increase the risk from bronchoscopy, affect biomarker data, or increase risk of an adverse effect from e-cig use * General anesthesia within 1 year * Regular use of inhalant medications in the last 2 months * Use of antibiotics in prior 30 days * Use of steroids, including corticosteroids, in prior 30 days * Allergies to study medications, such as, lidocaine, Versed, fentanyl or Cetacaine * Allergies to propylene glycol/glycerin or flavors * History of hypersensitivity to varenicline * Bronchoscopy or any other lung procedure for any reason within the previous 6 months * Current or recent (within three months) alcohol or drug abuse problems * Regularly smoked marijuana within the prior 3 months * Use of an e-cigarette or other combustible tobacco products in the prior 3 months * Currently using nicotine replacement or other tobacco cessation products (to minimize confounding effects of another product) or intention to quit in next three months * Adverse reaction to previous e-cig use * Body mass index (BMI) \> 40 (risk of unstable airway) * Pregnant or breastfeeding - if the subject is female, a urine pregnancy test at no cost to the subject will be done on the day of bronchoscopy * Unable to read for comprehension or completion of study documents
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
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