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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cruz M. Nazario, PhD¹, Johan Hernandez, MPH², Diana Gomez-Garzon, PhD², and Jose Rodriguez-Orengo, PhD². (1) School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, 787-758-2525 x 1429, cnazario@rcm.upr.edu, (2) School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Box 365067, San Juan, PR 00936-5067

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and the second in Puerto Rico. One family of genes associated with lung cancer risk is Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTS), a family of inducible enzymes that detoxifies different xenobiotics in mammals and protects against DNA damage and adduct formation. Several studies have shown an association between null GSTM-1 and lung cancer. Most studies in the United States have not been focused to the Hispanic population. This feasibility study was designed to evaluate frequency of GSTM1 polymorphism among Hispanics in Puerto Rico. It was thought that Hispanics would be averse to participate in a study that required a saliva sample. Patients and visitors at a local clinic as well as other non-hospitalized individuals were invited to participate in the study that also collected smoking habits, demographic characteristics and health history.

Ninety six percent (96%) of the 105 eligible participants completed the interview and provided the saliva sample and 2 participants refused to provide the saliva sample. Two eligible individuals were willing to provide the sample but refuse to participate because they wanted the DNA results. The genotype was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis from the saliva specimens. Fifty nine individual (59.6%) were positive to GSTM1 genotype (either +/+ or +/0) whereas 40.4% were GSTM1 null (0/0). The long term benefit of this study will be related to the identifications of polymorphism associated to genetic predisposition of lung cancer.

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