Interaction of cyclooxygenase 2 genotype and smoking habit in Taiwanese lung cancer patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association and interaction of genotypic polymorphisms in the cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) gene with smoking habits with lung cancer patients in Taiwan. Six polymorphic variants of Cox-2 were analysed in association with their effect on lung cancer susceptibility, and their joint effects with smoking habits on lung cancer risk is discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-eight patients with lung cancer and 716 healthy controls from the China Medical Hospital in central Taiwan were genotyped. RESULTS: The Cox-2 intron 6 (rs2066826) genotypes were distributed differently between the lung cancer and control groups. The A allele of Cox-2 intrin 6 was found more frequently in the cancer patient group than in the controls. Furthermore, the interactions of smoking with genetic factors were significant for the Cox-2 intron 6 genotypes. Patients who smoked and had the Cox-2 intron 6 AG or AA genotype had an increased risk of 2.21 (95% confidence interval=1.53-3.27) for developing lung cancer. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that the A allele of Cox-2 intron 6 may be associated with the development of lung cancer and may be a useful marker for early detection and treatment of lung cancer.