Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2010; 16(47): 6020-6025
Published online Dec 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i47.6020
Meta-analysis of ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk in China
Guo-Hong Zhang, Rui-Qin Mai, Bo Huang
Guo-Hong Zhang, Bo Huang, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515031, Guangdong Province, China
Rui-Qin Mai, Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang GH and Mai RQ designed the study, conducted data integration and analysis, and wrote the manuscript; Huang B was involved in data analysis and the manuscript writing.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30901726
Correspondence to: Guo-Hong Zhang, MD, Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515031, Guangdong Province, China. g_ghzhang@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-754-88900429 Fax: +86-754-88900429
Received: August 10, 2010
Revised: September 18, 2010
Accepted: September 25, 2010
Published online: December 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate whether alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) His47Arg and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) Glu487Lys polymorphism is involved in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk in Chinese Han population.

METHODS: Seven studies of ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes in Chinese Han population in 1450 cases and 2459 controls were included for meta-analysis. Stratified analyses were carried out to determine the gene-alcohol and gene-gene interaction with ESCC risk. Potential sources of heterogeneity between studies were explored, and publication bias was also evaluated.

RESULTS: Individuals with ADH1B arginine (Arg)/Arg genotype showed 3.95-fold increased ESCC risk in the recessive genetic model [Arg/Arg vs Arg/histidine (His) + His/His: odds ratio (OR) = 3.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.76-5.67]. Significant association was found in the dominant model for ALDH2 lysine (Lys) allele [glutamate (Glu)/Lys + Lys/Lys vs Glu/Glu: OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.54-2.61]. Compared with the non-alcoholics, Arg/Arg (OR = 25.20, 95% CI: 10.87-53.44) and Glu/Lys + Lys/Lys (OR = 21.47, 95% CI: 6.44-71.59) were found to interact with alcohol drinking to increase the ESCC risk. ADH1B Arg+ and ALDH2 Lys+ had a higher risk for ESCC (OR = 7.09, 95% CI: 2.16-23.33).

CONCLUSION: The genetic variations of ADH1B His47Arg and ALDH2 Glu487Lys are susceptible loci for ESCC in Chinese Han population and interact substantially with alcohol consumption. The individuals carrying both risky genotypes have a higher baseline risk of ESCC.

Keywords: Esophageal cancer, Alcohol metabolizing enzyme genes, Polymorphism, Susceptibility