A reader asks, “I saw a report about an over-the-counter drug called inositol that, supposedly, can reverse damage to lung cells caused by smoking. Is this true?”  Here’s what we know about inositol. 

Because the risk of lung and other cancers gradually diminishes after people stop smoking, you can benefit from quitting at any age. The benefit in reducing the risk of lung cancer becomes evident after about five years. The risk of developing lung cancer continues to decrease the longer a person does not smoke, but it never falls as low as the risk level of a lifelong nonsmoker. 

Preliminary reports suggest that inositol -- a naturally occurring nutrient found in certain fruits and legumes -- may have properties that can reverse cell damage in the lining of the airways in the lung. One study, reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine, identified a pattern of genes that is disrupted by toxins in cigarette smoke that identifies smokers who are at risk for cancer. The study also found that inositol may turn off the genes and return precancerous cells to normal. 

While this is potentially good news for former smokers who want to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer, this was a very preliminary study and the findings are still far too premature to be significant. 

Bottom line advice. Inositol is sold in supplement form at health food stores, but we do not recommend taking it until more is known about its safety and efficacy. The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring a clinical trial of inositol, and the results should provide more information in that regard.

March 29, 2012. John Hopkins Health Alerts

http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/lung_disorders/iositol_6142-1.html?ET=johnshopkins:e80028:615436a:&st=email&s=ELH_120329_001