N’-Nitrosonornicotine is a tobacco-specific N-nitrosamine and carcinogen that has been found in unburned tobacco and cigarette smoke.1 It induces the formation of DNA adducts in isolated rat nasal mucosa and esophagus. N’-Nitrosonornicotine induces tumor formation in rat esophagus and nasal cavity, mouse lung, forestomach, and trachea, and hamster trachea and forebrain. Urinary levels of N’-nitrosonornicotine are positively correlated with the risk of esophageal cancer in smokers.2
1.Hecht, S.S.Biochemistry, biology, and carcinogenicity of tobacco-specific N-nitrosaminesChem. Res. Toxicol.11(6)559-603(1998) 2.Yuan, J.-M., Knezevich, A.D., Wang, R., et al.Urinary levels of the tobacco-specific carcinogen N’-nitrosonornicotine and its glucuronide are strongly associated with esophageal cancer risk in smokersCarcinogenesis32(9)1366-1371(2011)