COX-2 polymorphism, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and risk of colon cancer in African Americans (United States).
BACKGROUND
The inducible Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme plays an important role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Recent reports suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the COX-2 gene may alter enzyme function and in turn modify an individual's risk of colon cancer. We explored the association between the COX-2 Val511Ala SNP and risk of colon cancer among 240 African American cases and 326 African American controls in a population-based, case-control study in North Carolina.


METHODS
We used unconditional logistic regression models to determine the odds ratios (ORs) for genotype and risk of colon cancer.


RESULTS
We observed a non-statistically significant inverse association between any Ala COX-2 genotype and risk of colon cancer (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.33, 1.16) among African Americans. The inverse association was present among non-regular NSAID users, use < or = 3 times/week, (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.32, 1.37) and regular NSAID users, use > or =3 times/week for > or =3 months, (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.11, 1.54).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the COX-2 Val511Ala SNP does not antagonize the effect of NSAIDs on colon cancer risk and provides support that NSAID use and the COX-2 Val511Ala SNP may contribute to a reduced risk of colon cancer among African Americans.
Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892-8325, USA. sansburl@mail.nih.gov
Leah B
LB
Sansbury
Robert C
RC
Millikan
Jane C
JC
Schroeder
Kari E
KE
North
Patricia G
PG
Moorman
Temitope O
TO
Keku
Allan Rene'
AR
de Cotret
Jon
J
Player
Robert S
RS
Sandler
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D001241:Aspirin