ALDH2 deficiency and alcohol intake in the U.S.: Opportunity for precision cancer prevention.

Background: Alcoholic beverages and the main metabolite of alcohol, acetaldehyde, are known carcinogens. A genetic variant in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2, G>A, rs671) leads to decreased efficiency in metabolizing acetaldehyde and is associated with increased cancer risk. Since alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for various cancers, the identification of ALDH2 deficiency presents an opportunity for precision cancer prevention.