[Gene polymorphism of myeloperoxidase and genetic susceptibility to lung cancer].

Background & Objective: A-463 bp G/A polymorphism is located in the promoter region of myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene was found to be associated with lung cancer susceptibility; however, this association in Chinese population remained unclear. The aim of this study was designed to explore this association in Chinese population.

Methods: MPO genotypes in 98 cases of primary lung cancer and 112 persons of healthy control were detected using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay(PCR-RFLP) in a case-control molecular epidemiology study. The association between this gene polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer in Chinese population was examined through comparing odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval(CI) between two groups.

Results: In healthy control group, the frequencies of persons carrying G/G, G/A, and A/A genotypes were 47.3%, 42.9%, and 9.8%, respectively. In cancer group, the frequencies of the persons carrying above three genotypes were 63.3%, 33.7%, and 3.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference of the frequencies of heterozygote G/A between two groups (P >0.05). However, The A/A genotype was found significantly higher in cancer group than that in healthy control group(P< 0.025). The risk of lung cancer for person carrying at least one A allele was only 52% of the persons carrying G/G genotype (95% CI 0.29-0.93). In smoking population, allele A showed to be a significant protective factor (OR=0.41,P< 0.025), while such protective role was not observed in non-smoking group(P >0.25).

Conclusion: MPO gene polymorphism was associated with susceptibility of lung cancer in Chinese population. The risk of lung cancer was decreased in the persons carrying allele A.