Genetic analysis of polymorphisms in dopamine receptor and transporter genes for association with smoking among cancer patients

Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(2):105-11. doi: 10.1159/000341711. Epub 2012 Nov 2.

Abstract

Background: Smoking among Russian cancer patients may be related to variations in the DRD2/ANKK1 (Taq1), DRD4 (exon III VNTR), and SLC6A3 genes.

Methods: Seven hundred fifty patients provided smoking history and DNA.

Results: Current smokers were more likely to be DRD2 A2 allele carriers versus nonsmokers (former/never smokers; 69 vs. 56%; OR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.13-2.53, p = 0.01) and former smokers (69 vs. 59%; OR = 1.54; 95% CI 0.97-2.46, p = 0.07). Ever smokers (current/former smokers) were more likely to be DRD2 A2 allele carriers versus never smokers (65 vs. 55%; OR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.00-2.27, p = 0.05). The risk of current smoking among DRD2 A2 allele carriers was present if the DRD4 short allele was also present (OR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.12-2.78, p = 0.02), and the risk of ever smoking among DRD2 A2 allele carriers was present if the DRD4 short allele was also present (OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.02-2.55, p = 0.04). DRD2 A2 allele carriers had a shorter period of previous abstinence versus DRD2 A1 carriers (p = 0.02). Effects were not statistically significant when controlling for multiple comparisons.

Conclusions: The DRD2 A2 allele may increase the risk of smoking among cancer patients, convergent with studies using non-Western samples. However, additional replication is needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Association Studies / methods
  • Genetic Variation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4 / genetics*
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / genetics*

Substances

  • DRD2 protein, human
  • DRD4 protein, human
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • SLC6A3 protein, human
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4