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Estrogen receptor gene SNPs increase risk for lung adenocarcinoma

Estrogen receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphisms appeared associated with increased risk for lung adenocarcinoma among women who have never smoked, according to results of a case–control study.

Kuan-Yu Chen, MD, of the division of pulmonary medicine and department of internal medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine in Taipei, and colleagues evaluated ESR1 and ESR2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from 532 women with lung adenocarcinoma who never smoked and 532 healthy female controls.

The researchers used a multivariate-adjusted logistic regression assay to estimate the associations of ESR1 and ESR2 SNPs with lung adenocarcinoma risk.

In the ESR1 analysis, they identified seven tagged SNPs. Of them, rs7753153 (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.16-1.95) and rs985192 (OR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1-1.7) appeared associated with increased risk for lung adenocarcinoma.

In the ESR2 analysis, only rs3020450 appeared associated with increased lung adenocarcinoma risk (OR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1-4.42).

Women who carried at-risk genotypes and did not undergo hormone replacement therapy demonstrated significantly higher lung adenocarcinoma risk than those who did not carry at-risk genotypes and underwent hormone replacement therapy (rs7753153 GG, OR = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.41-3.21; rs985192 AA/AC, OR = 1.75; 95% CI, 1.1-2.76; rs3020450 AG/GG, OR = 7.16; 95% CI, 1.6-31.9).

The researchers noted that risk genotypes of rs7753153 (P = .02) and rs9479122 (P = .02) appeared associated with decreased ESR1 expression.

“Estrogen receptor gene SNPs may be associated with lung adenocarcinoma risk in never-smoking women,” Chen and colleagues wrote. “The joint effects of estrogen receptor gene SNP and hormone replacement therapy use highlight the importance of the gene-environment interaction in lung carcinogenesis among never-smoking women.” – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.