Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) Polymorphism, Alcohol, Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Oesophageal Cancer

Alcohol, tobacco smoke and Barrett's oesophagus as a consequence of gastro-oesophageal reflux are the main risk factors in oesophageal carcinogenesis. All risk factors may induce oxidative stress. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is one important repair enzyme for reactive oxidative stress (ROS)-induced damage. MnSOD polymorphisms in the -9 position of the signal sequence of the protein may lead to critical enzyme deficiency. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of polymorphisms of MnSOD in patients with oesophageal cancer [n = 170, 61 patients with adenocarcinoma (AC), 109 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] compared to heavy drinkers (n = 160) and healthy blood donors (n = 400).