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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2009; 15(19): 2395-2400
Published online May 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.2395
Polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase-2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 and esophageal cancer risk in Southeast Chinese males
Jian-Hua Ding, Su-Ping Li, Hai-Xia Cao, Jian-Zhong Wu, Chang-Ming Gao, Ping Su, Yan-Ting Liu, Jian-Nong Zhou, Jun Chang, Gen-Hong Yao
Jian-Hua Ding, Su-Ping Li, Hai-Xia Cao, Jian-Zhong Wu, Chang-Ming Gao, Ping Su, Yan-Ting Liu, Jian-Nong Zhou, Division of Epidemiology, Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
Jun Chang, Gen-Hong Yao, Taixing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Taixing 225400, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Ding JH, Li SP, and Zhou JN designed research; Ding JH, Li SP, Cao HX, Wu JZ, Liu YT, and Su P performed research; Cao HX, Wu JZ, and Gao CM contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Li SP, and Ding JH analyzed data; Ding JH and Cao HX wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Jian-Hua Ding, Division of Epidemiology, Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Cancer Research, 42 Baiziting, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China. djh_200@126.com
Telephone: +86-25-83283486
Fax: +86-25-83283487
Received: March 12, 2009
Revised: April 17, 2009
Accepted: April 24, 2009
Published online: May 21, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the impact of alcohol dehydrogenase-2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) polymorphisms on esophageal cancer susceptibility in Southeast Chinese males.

METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-one esophageal cancer patients and 191 healthy controls from Taixing city in Jiangsu Province were enrolled in this study. ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes were examined by polymerase chain reaction and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: The ADH G allele carriers were more susceptible to esophageal cancer, but no association was found between ADH2 genotypes and risk of esophageal cancer when disregarding alcohol drinking status. Regardless of ADH2 genotype, ALDH2G/A or A/A carriers had significantly increased risk of developing esophageal cancer, with homozygous individuals showing higher esophageal cancer risk than those who were heterozygous. A significant interaction between ALDH2 and drinking was detected regarding esophageal cancer risk; the OR was 3.05 (95% CI: 1.49-6.25). Compared with non-drinkers carrying both ALDH2 G/G and ADH2 A/A, drinkers carrying both ALDH2 A allele and ADH2 G allele showed a significantly higher risk of developing esophageal cancer (OR = 8.36, 95% CI: 2.98-23.46).

CONCLUSION: Both ADH2 G allele and ALDH2 A allele significantly increase the risk of esophageal cancer development in Southeast Chinese males. ALDH2 A allele significantly increases the risk of esophageal cancer development especially in alcohol drinkers. Alcohol drinkers carrying both ADH2 G allele and ALDH2 A allele have a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer.

Keywords: Alcohol dehydrogenase-2; Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2; Gene polymorphisms; Alcohol drinking; Esophageal cancer