Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of molecular alterations in tumours from patients with prostate cancer who smoke. The alterations were either diminished or not present in past smokers and nonsmokers. The gene expression signature included increased immunoglobulin expression by tumour-infiltrating B cells, NF-κB activation and increased chemokine expression. The researchers also found that nicotine increased glutamine consumption and cancer cell invasiveness in vitro and sped up metastatic progression in TRAMP mice.