Nicotine-Induced Angiogenesis

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Dr. Silver and colleagues’ article demonstrates the potential therapeutic value of nicotinic receptor modulation in reducing behavioral symptoms in Tourette’s disorder. The authors explicitly clarify that side effects limit chronic usage of transdermal nicotine but fail to mention a most troublesome side effect—the fact that nicotine has been shown to induce angiogenesis and thereby accelerate the growth of tumors and atheroma. These effects may occur in vivo as well as in vitro at nicotine concentrations that are pathophysiologically relevant.