Alcohol dehydrogenase-2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 genotypes, alcohol drinking and the risk for esophageal cancer in a Chinese population.
To investigate the relationship among alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) genetic polymorphisms, alcohol consumption and the susceptibility to esophageal cancer in a Chinese population, we conducted a case-control study with 221 cases and 191 population-based controls in the Taixing city of Jiangsu Province of China. ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes were examined using PCR and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. Alcohol drinkers with the ALDH2 A allele showed a significantly increased risk of esophageal cancer compared with drinkers with the ALDH2 G/G genotype (odds ratio (OR)=3.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.65-5.78) or nondrinkers with any genotype (OR=3.05, 95% CI: 1.49-6.25). Drinkers with the ALDH2 A allele and a cumulative amount of alcohol consumption > or =2.5 (kg * years) were at a significantly higher risk of developing esophageal cancer (OR=11.93, 95% CI: 3.17-44.90) compared with individuals with ALDH2 G/G genotypes and a cumulative amount of alcohol consumption <2.5 (kg * years). A dose-dependent positive result was found between cumulative amount of alcohol consumption and risk of esophageal cancer in individuals carrying the ALDH2 A allele (P=0.023) and the homozygous ALDH2 G allele (P=0.047). Compared with individuals carrying both ALDH2 G/G and ADH2 A/A alleles and with a cumulative amount of alcohol consumption <2.5 (kg * years), drinkers carrying both ALDH2 A and ADH2 G alleles and with a cumulative amount of alcohol consumption > or =2.5 (kg * years) showed a significantly elevated risk of esophageal cancer (OR=53.15, 95% CI: 4.24-666.84). This result suggests that to help lower their risk for esophageal cancer, persons carrying the ALDH2 A allele should be encouraged to reduce their consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Ding
Jian-hua
JH
Cancer Research Institute of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China. djh_200@126.com
Li
Su-ping
SP
Cao
Hai-xia
HX
Wu
Jian-zhong
JZ
Gao
Chang-ming
CM
Liu
Yan-ting
YT
Zhou
Jian-nong
JN
Chang
Jun
J
Yao
Geng-hong
GH
D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D002681:China; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors
D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial