A variant allele of ADH1B and ALDH2, is associated with the risk of esophageal cancer

Alcoholic beverages are causally related to esophageal cancer. The genetic polymorphisms of the alcohol-metabolizing enzymes ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 may modulate individual differences in alcohol-oxidizing capability. A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the genetic effects of these two functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the development of esophageal cancer. A total of 380 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases and 380 controls were recruited. Genotypes were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Variant alleles of the functional polymorphism ADH1B rs1229984 SNP were associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.42-4.03 for ADH1B rs1229984 GG vs. AA]. There was a borderline-significantly decreased risk between the ALDH2 rs671 genotype and esophageal cancer (adjusted OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.22-1.00 for ALDH2 rs671 AA vs. GG). Stratified analyses indicated that both of these effects were more evident among male, younger subjects and smokers. In conclusion, the functional polymorphisms ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 may contribute to susceptibility to esophageal cancer, particularly among male, younger subjects and smokers.