This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Lung cancer stills a major public health problem in the U.S. and P.R. Risk factors for lung cancer are cigarette smoking, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition. In relation to the genetic predisposition, although 80 to 90% of patients with lung cancer are smokers only 10% of smokers will develop lung cancer. Susceptibility differences to carcinogens present in cigarette smoke are generally thought to result from differences in the genetic background of individuals. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of inducible enzymes used in the detoxification of different xenobiotics in mammals. Several studies have shown an association for the lack of GSTM1, GSTT1, and the presence of GSTP1b with prevalence and progression of lung cancer. Most of these studies have focused in the Caucasian and African American populations, and there is limited information regarding the Hispanic population. Thus, as a first step to fill this void in the Hispanic population we proposed to obtain the prevalence of these genes in the general population. This information will allow us to better design future analytical studies on lung cancer interventions and gene-environment interactions. To accomplish the objective of this application, we will pursue the following specific aims: 1. To screen 250 Hispanic subjects from Puerto Rico using saliva samples and determine the prevalence of GSTM1 (null), GSTT1 (null), and GSTP1b (ile/val). 2. To evaluate the distribution of known risk factors (smoking, occupational hazard, etc.) for lung cancer by GST categories. 3. To characterize the sample population by demographic characteristics (i.e. gender, age, etc.) as well as by lifestyle and health related variables.
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