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Free-Radicals produced in Cigarette Smoke

Nature volume 181, pages 1003–1004 (1958)Cite this article

Abstract

IN attempts to determine a unifying principle of action for the many and varied carcinogenic agents, many workers have assigned an intermediary role to free radicals. The action of ionizing radiation and radiomimetic agents in this respect has been discussed by Brues and Barron1. It is stated that many, if not all, carcinogens are compounds capable of forming free radicals which may be stabilized as ions2. Oppenheimer et al. 3 discussed their possible role in the production of tumours in rodents by implanted films of various high polymers, and suggested, as a requirement for tumour production, the presence of foreign free radicals in a specific area for an extended period.

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References

  1. Brues, A. M., and Barron, E. S. G., “Ann. Rev. Biochem.”, 20, 350 (1951).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Research Department, Royal Beatson Memorial Hospital, Glasgow

    M. J. LYONS

  2. University of Southampton,

    J. F. GIBSON & D. J. E. INGRAM

Authors
  1. M. J. LYONS
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  2. J. F. GIBSON
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  3. D. J. E. INGRAM
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LYONS, M., GIBSON, J. & INGRAM, D. Free-Radicals produced in Cigarette Smoke. Nature 181, 1003–1004 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1038/1811003a0

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