Genetic polymorphisms in CYP1B1, GSTA1, NQO1 and NAT2 and the risk of lung cancer

In a population-based case-cohort study, we have investigated the occurrence of lung cancer in relation to polymorphisms in the phase I gene cytochrome P450 1B1 and in the phase II genes glutathione S-transferase A1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). Among 54,220 cohort members, 265 lung cancer cases were identified and a sub-cohort comprising 272 individuals was used for comparison. No overall associations were found between the polymorphisms and risk of lung cancer. The NAT2 fast acetylator genotype seemed to be protective against lung cancer in light smokers (≤20 cigarettes/day) and not among heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes/day).