Review of studies on metabolic genes and cancer in populations of African descent.

ABSTRACT: Genetic polymorphisms described for a number of enzymes involved in the metabolism of tobacco carcinogens and alcohol have been linked to increase cancer risk. Racial disparities in cancer between whites and populations of African descent are well documented. In addition to differences in access to health care, both environment and genetic factors and their interaction may contribute to the increased cancer risk in minority populations. We reviewed the literature to identify case-control studies that included subjects of African descent. Meta-analyses investigating the association of genetic polymorphisms in tobacco metabolic genes and cancer were performed. Although several genes and cancers have been studied, only one or two studies per gene for each cancer site have been published, with

SUBMITTER: Ragin CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2885841 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature