Alcohol dehydrogenase 3 genotype as a risk factor for upper aerodigestive tract cancers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess alcohol dehydrogenase 3 (ADH3) polymorphism at position Ile349Val as indicator of risk factor for upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer to verify its association with UADT cancer in nonalcoholic or nonsmoking individuals.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Primary care or referral center.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 141 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx admitted for surgical treatment. The comparison group consisted of 94 inpatients without cancer from the A. C. Camargo or other São Paulo (Brazil) hospital and 40 healthy individuals.


METHODS
All participants were interviewed and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. After written informed consent was obtained, 20 mL of blood was collected in heparinized tubes.


METHODS
Odds ratio for ADH3 genotypes using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
After adjustment for sex, age, tobacco use, and history of cancer in first-degree family relatives, a significantly higher odds ratio for UADT cancer was observed among individuals with AA genotype and low cumulative alcohol consumption (< or =100 kg of ethanol) (odds ratio = 3.8 [95% confidence interval, 1.5-9.7]). A 4-fold increase in odds ratio for UADT cancer among individuals with AA genotype and low tobacco consumption (< or =25 pack-years) was also found in the adjusted model.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that genotype AA may be a risk factor for UADT cancer, especially in individuals with low alcohol or tobacco consumption. However, further epidemiological case-control or cohort studies, preferably prospective, are needed to establish the exact role of ADH3 polymorphism and its association with the development of UADT cancers.
Nishimoto
Inês Nobuko
IN
Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer A. C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Pinheiro
Nidia A
NA
Rogatto
Silvia R
SR
Carvalho
André Lopes
AL
de Moura
Ricardo Pereira
RP
Caballero
Otavia L
OL
Simpson
Andrew
A
Kowalski
Luiz Paulo
LP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking
D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase