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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2007; 13(43): 5760-5764
Published online Nov 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i43.5760
Genetic polymorphisms of ADH2 and ALDH2 association with esophageal cancer risk in southwest China
Shu-Juan Yang, Hua-Yu Wang, Xiao-Qing Li, Hui-Zhang Du, Can-Jie Zheng, Huai-Gong Chen, Xiao-Yan Mu, Chun-Xia Yang
Shu-Juan Yang, Xiao-Qing Li, Can-Jie Zheng, Huai-Gong Chen, Chun-Xia Yang, Department of Epidemiology, Huaxi Public Health School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Hua-Yu Wang, Hui-Zhang Du, Xiao-Yan Mu, Yanting Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute. Yanting 621600, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Chun-Xia Yang, Department of Epidemiology, Huaxi Public Health School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. chunxia815@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-28-85501604 Fax: +86-28-85501295
Received: July 9, 2007
Revised: August 20, 2007
Accepted: October 21, 2007
Published online: November 21, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the impact of alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms on esophageal cancer risk.

METHODS: One hundred and ninety-one esophageal cancer patients and 198 healthy controls from Yanting County were enrolled in this study. ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes were examined by polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pair-primer (PCR-CTPP) method. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS: Both ADH2*1 allele and ALDH2*1/*2 allele showed an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. The adjusted OR (95% CI) for ADH2*1 allele compared with ADH2*2/*2 was 1.65 (95% CI = 1.02-2.68) and 1.67 (95% CI = 1.02-2.72) for ALDH2*1/*2 compared with ALDH2*1/*1. A significant interaction between ALDH2 and drinking was detected regarding esophageal cancer risk, the OR was 1.83 (95% CI = 1.13-2.95). Furthermore, when compared with ADH2*2/*2 and ALDH2*1/*1 carriers, ADH2*1 and ALDH2*2 carriers showed an elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer among non-alcohol drinkers (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 0.98-6.14), and a significantly elevated risk of developing esophageal cancer among alcohol drinkers among alcohol drinkers (OR = 9.86, 95% CI = 3.10-31.38).

CONCLUSION: ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes are associated with esophageal cancer risk. ADH2*1 allele and ALDH2*2 allele carriers have a much higher risk of developing esophageal cancer, especially among alcohol drinkers.

Keywords: Esophageal cancer; Alcohol dehydrogenase 2; Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; Genetic polymorphisms