Validation of in vitro models of tobacco-related harm and their role in evaluating modified risk tobacco products

www.bat-science.com INTRODUCTION Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. We are developing a scientific framework to evaluate whether modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs), as referred to in the US Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, that yield substantially reduced levels of tobacco smoke toxicants are also associated with reduced health risks compared with conventional cigarettes. One important part of such a framework is the evaluation of the biological effects of cigarette smoke on in vitro models of smoking-related diseases.