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 the exception of breast (
CYP1A1 and CYP1B1), lung (GSTM1,
CYP1A1, and NQO1), and prostate (
CYP3A4 A293G and
CYP17). Marginal statistically significant associations were observed for
CYP3A4 A293G and
CYP17 5'UTR polymorphisms and
prostate cancer. Our findings support the need for additional genetic association studies of breast, prostate, and
lung cancers that include a larger number of minority participants. Because incidence and mortality rates for these
cancers rank highest among populations of African descent, concentrated research in these areas are warranted.