Polymorphism of cytochrome p450, glutathione-s-transferase and N-acetyltransferases: influence on lung cancer susceptibility.

Lung cancer remains a major health challenge in the world. It is the commonest cause of cancer mortality in men, it has been suggested that genetic susceptibility may contribute to the major risk factor, with increasing prevalence of smoking. Lung cancer has reached epidemic proportions in India. Recently indoor air pollution and dietary factors have been implicated in the causation of lung Cancer development. Accumulating evidences have highlighted that several polymorphisms involve the metabolic activation or detoxification of carcinogens derived from cigarette smoke have been found to be associated with lung cancer risk. Many studies have focused on the relation between the distribution of polymorphic variants of different forms of the metabolic enzymes and lung cancer susceptibility, Few of human biotransformating enzymes (Phase I enzyme: Cytochrome p450 enzymes, and Phase II enzymes: Glutathione-s-transferases, N-acetyltransferases) have been implicated in the formation and scavenging of ultimate reactive metabolites. These enzyme families are known to catalyze detoxification of electrophilic compounds including carcinogens. The treatment and prevention of lung cancer are major unmet needs that can probably be improved by a better understanding of the molecular origins and evolution of the disease. This review will focus on major recent advances in the molecular study of the origins and biology of lung cancer.