Association Between Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Lung Cancer Susceptibility: Modification by Antioxidant Enzyme Genetic Polymorphisms

Background Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the primary etiologic factor responsible for lung cancer. However, only 10–15 % of smokers develop lung cancer, suggesting a genetic role in modifying individual susceptibility to lung cancer. Antioxidant enzymes and genetic polymorphisms should be considered.