Elucidation of the mechanism of bladder cancer development focusing on genetic polymorphisms of alcohol metabolizing enzymes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18119
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56030:Urology-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu Central Hospital of the Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers
• Principal Investigator: MASAOKA Hiroyuki 公立学校共済組合九州中央病院(臨床研究センター), 臨床研究センター, 研究員 (80848010)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 膀胱がん / アルコール / アルデヒド脱水素酵素2 / アセトアルデヒド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the association between alcohol consumption, genetic polymorphisms related to alcohol metabolism and risk of bladder cancer. Mediation analysis revealed that the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) polymorphism, rs671 (Glu504Lys), Lys allele increases the bladder cancer risk by increasing exposure to acetaldehyde derived from alcohol consumption (direct carcinogenic effects). On the other hand, the Lys allele reduces the bladder cancer risk by decreased alcohol consumption (indirect carcinogenic effects).

Free Research Field

がん疫学、分子疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本の膀胱がん罹患数、死亡数は近年増え続けているため、日本人のデータに基づいた、新たな膀胱がんのリスクファクターの同定や、膀胱がん発症のメカニズムの解明が必要不可欠である。本研究により、ALDH2 rs671 Lysアレル保有者が飲酒を行うことで膀胱がんのリスクが上昇することが示された。Lysアレル保有者が飲酒を控えるように啓蒙を行えば、膀胱がん罹患者を減らすことができるかもしれない。