Researchers published a paper in Nicotine & Tobacco Research about a novel way to test whether a patient has used just vaping products, just smoking products or both within the last 48 hours.
The research, led by Alma Nieto at the CDC, tested the ability of two biomarkers—2CyEMA, a marker of smoke exposure, and cotinine, a marker of tobacco and nicotine exposure—to tell whether participants had smoked, vaped or both.
Data came from UW-CTRI’s Exhale Study, a longitudinal cohort of exclusive smokers as well as a group who both smoked and vaped.
UW-CTRI Research Director Dr. Megan Piper and now-retired researcher Dr. Doug Jorenby led the Exhale Study.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to find a compelling use for our remaining study samples,” said Piper, who was also a co-author on the paper. “I am a firm believer in maximizing the scientific output we can get from our studies. This is essential given all the time and energy our participants and staff put into providing and collecting these data.”
This new assay can help scientists differentiate whether people are using only one product or both. Piper said that’s critical for research that relies on confirming whether people really quit vaping, smoking or both.
“However, given the novel nature of this urine test, it appears primarily suited for research at this point,” she said. “This new test was conducted by analytic chemists at the CDC.”
For example, for UW-CTRI’s Avenues Study, Piper and colleagues are using the commercially available tests like cotinine and anabasine (which is also something typically only found in cured tobacco products like cigarettes).
Still, Piper said she’s excited to have a commercially available version of the new 2CyEMA test in the future.
“I really appreciate being able to collaborate with people who have innovative methodological expertise,” she said. “Together, we can address key questions with our tobacco dependence and treatment research.”
Nieto A, Zhang C, Zhu W, Reese C, Piper ME, Benowitz NL, Blount BC, Bhandari D. Assessing the Urinary Cyanoethyl Mercapturic Acid to Cotinine Ratio for Classifying Tobacco Use Status in a Longitudinal Cohort of Cigarette, e-Cigarette, and Dual Users. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Online October 24, 2005.