Association between UGT1A1*28*28 genotype and lung cancer in the Japanese population.

Background Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and is closely linked to tobacco smoking. Genetic polymorphisms in genes that encode enzymes involved in metabolizing tobacco carcinogens could affect an individual’s risk for lung cancer. While polymorphism of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase1A1 (UGT1A1) is involved in detoxification of benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol(–), a major tobacco carcinogen, the association between UGT1A1 genotype and lung cancer has not been examined.