Background: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) contributes to pulmonary carcinogenesis through activation of a wide range of tobacco smoke procarcinogens, including benzo[a]pyrene and aromatic amines. A -463G>A polymorphism in the promoter region of the MPO gene has been shown to reduce MPO expression and activity. It is therefore possible that carriers of the -463A allele may be at decreased risk of lung cancer. To test this hypothesis we have investigated the association between the -463G>A polymorphism of MPO gene and the risk of lung cancer in a Korean population.
Methods: The MPO genotype was determined in 432 lung cancer patients and 432 healthy controls that were frequency-matched for age and gender.
Results: In the current study, the risk estimate for lung cancer of the combined -463 AA+GA genotype was not significantly different from that of the -463GG genotype (adjusted OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.72-1.47). In addition, we observed no evidence of effect modification by age, gender, smoking history or tumor histology.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the MPO -463G>A polymorphism does not significantly affect the susceptibility to lung cancer in Koreans.