Feasibility of PET/CT to Detect the Oral/Pulmonary Distribution of Nicotine Following E-cigarette Use

E-cigarette manufactures claim that e-cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes and that they may aid in smoking cessation. As a result, e-cigarettes are gaining popularity and use in the general public as a replacement for traditional cigarettes. However, little is known about the benefits and health risks of e-cigarette use. Although e-cigarettes have been shown to have negligible effect on carbon monoxide exposure and heart rate, they contain a variety of glycerols mixed with variable concentrations of nicotine. In addition, other substances are present in the refill solutions and/or resulting vapor, such as tobacco specific nitrosoamines, cotinine, aldehydes, metals, volatile organic compounds, tobacco alkaloids, and other pharmacologically active ingredients (although in concentrations much lower than in combustible traditional cigarettes). In addition, studies have shown that during the atomization process, there is a large range in the size of the particulate matter formed that is dependent upon both the device and refill solution used. It is well know that inhaled particulate matter may induce inflammation and may eventually lead to an increase in a variety of health risks including cardiovascular disease and emphysema. Although e-cigarettes are not currently regulated, studies have indicated that the e-liquid products should be regulated to ensure consistent nicotine delivery and to prohibit the use of ethylene glycol and other excipients that currently may be present at potentially harmful levels (high risk category). Additionally, only minimal valid data is available related to the biodistribution (deposition of nicotine and/or aerosol excipients) following inhalation. The evaluation of nicotine and aerosol deposition in the body will help to determine if the particulates formed during the atomization process may induce any serious health risks. Additionally, this data may be compared to traditional cigarette smoking to determine if e-cigarettes are truly a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. In order to provide this data, quantitative methods need to be developed that allow for accurate in vivo biodistribution determination following inhalation.

To determine eligibility, participants will sequentially complete two eligibility surveys that include questions related to their use of e-cigarettes, tobacco cigarettes, other tobacco products, and pharmaceuticals. The brochures and social media postings will include a link to Eligibility Survey 1. Survey 1 will collect sensitive, medical information, but will be completely anonymous. Medical information will be collected solely for the purposes of determining participant eligibility and will be unlinked from any identifying participant information as well as future collected study data. Once participants are determined eligible by Survey 1, they will be directed to complete Survey 2 to confirm their eligibility. Survey 2 will ask participants questions about their vaping habits. If they are confirmed eligible from the survey, they will also be asked to provide their name and contact information (e-mail). Study personnel will then contact eligible participants to schedule a time for them to come to the WCIBMI for their initial visit. Responses from Survey 1 and Survey 2 will be completely unlinked to maintain anonymity about participants' medical information. Once the participant has been deemed eligible and indicated interest in participation, they will be invited to the WCIBMI to see the facilities, and the relevant consent form will be reviewed and signed. Participants will either participate solely in a dress rehearsal of the study, or they will participate in both a dress rehearsal and the full imaging study. During the dress rehearsal, participants will walk through the study process without the use of the 11C-nicotine e-cigarette and without performing any imaging. The participant will first disrobe and change to hospital scrubs. The subject will also wear full-body disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) including a gown, hairnet, double latex gloves, and foot coverings. Then, the subject will lay on the bed of the PET/CT imaging system and practice puffing in the supine position, the proper posture for PET scanning, and exhaling into the gas traps. Participants who are only participating in the dress rehearsal will use their own, personal e-cigarette to vape in the system. For participants who are participating in the full study, the investigators will provide them with the e-cigarette that they will use in the full study. Urine will be collected from female participants of the full study to confirm that they are not pregnant. During the study, first, S-nicotine will be labeled with C11 and placed in the cartridge of an e-cigarette. The S-nicotine may be given in two different doses. The investigators will focus on the 3 mCi C11 (Dose Level A) in the e-cigarette at the time of initial inhalation previously purified by HPLC. If 3 mCi does not yield adequate image quality, the dosage will be increased to 9 mCi (Dose Level B) for subsequent participants. To determine the appropriate dose level, the imaging scans will be reviewed independently at a minimum by three experienced investigators (Michael V. Knopp, Chadwick Wright, and Jun Zhang). Once the C11 labeled e-cigarette enters the facility, it may be placed in the dose calibrator for secondary dose confirmation and then transported directly to the imaging room. The subject will then be instructed to start inhalation (maximum 10 puffs at 30 second intervals) while positioned in the PET/CT system. Afterwards, the e-cigarette will be removed from the imaging system by a staff member, and the remaining activity of the E-liquid will be determined using a dose calibrator. PET/CT imaging will then be performed for a maximum of 60 minutes following inhalation. The subject will be placed in the PET camera as to generate axial slices in the following sectors: the brain, oral cavity, throat, and lungs. From the PET/CT images, quantitative radioactivity deposition will be determined, and the biodistribution and uptake/clearance will be evaluated. Acquired data will be used for listmode based simulation to determine the potentially lowest dose feasible using new digital PET/CT technology. After scanning, the subject will be removed from the imaging suite and will be asked to stay in the patient waiting/recovery area for up to 120 minutes (2 hours). Prior to release, the subject will be surveyed to ensure that any exhaled/emitted air is at background levels with respect to radiation. Additionally, all subjects will be contacted within 12 to 48 hours after release from the study to ensure that they are feeling well and have not experienced any adverse reaction to the study. Any adverse reactions will be recorded and reported immediately to the PI.