Abstract
BackgroundAlcohol consumption is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer; however, a high incidence of esophageal cancer is observed particularly among Eastern Asians, although they consume relatively less alcohol, presumably due to the high frequency of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms. Nevertheless, the association between ALDH2 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer remains under debate. In the present study, we evaluated the association between ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms and the risk of esophageal cancer in the South Korean population.MethodsThis study included 783 hospital based-cases and 8732 population-based controls. Information on smoking history and alcohol consumption was obtained from the medical records or interview questionnaires. Age-adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer.ResultsOdds ratios (ORs) for esophageal cancer in men with GA and AA genotypes were 2.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34–3.23) and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.00–0.35), respectively; whereas, in women, these ratios were 2.99 (95% CI: 1.43–6.34) and 6.18 (95% CI: 1.40–19.62), respectively, taking subjects with the ALDH2 GG genotype as a reference. In men, the association between ALDH2 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer was modified by alcohol consumption.ConclusionIn Eastern Asians, ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms are associated with esophageal cancer, which may be linked to acetaldehyde accumulation.
Highlights
Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer; a high incidence of esophageal cancer is observed among Eastern Asians, they consume relatively less alcohol, presumably due to the high frequency of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms are common among East Asians, and affect alcohol metabolism [5,6,7,8]
Compared to individuals with functional ALDH2, inactive ALDH2 carriers present high acetaldehyde levels after alcohol consumption [9], which can lead to flushing, headache, palpitations, and other unfavorable symptoms that affect alcohol consumption habits; minor allele A of ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms is associated with low alcohol consumption and alcohol abstinence
Summary
Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer; a high incidence of esophageal cancer is observed among Eastern Asians, they consume relatively less alcohol, presumably due to the high frequency of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms. Alcohol consumption is a primary risk factor for esophageal cancer. The enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) produces acetaldehyde from alcohol. Acetaldehyde is toxic, and its accumulation is the primary cause of unfavorable symptoms occurring after alcohol consumption. Several enzyme polymorphisms involved in alcohol metabolism affect the degree of acetaldehyde accumulation after. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms are common among East Asians, and affect alcohol metabolism [5,6,7,8]. Compared to individuals with functional ALDH2, inactive ALDH2 carriers present high acetaldehyde levels after alcohol consumption [9], which can lead to flushing, headache, palpitations, and other unfavorable symptoms that affect alcohol consumption habits; minor allele A of ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms is associated with low alcohol consumption and alcohol abstinence
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