Pooled analysis on metabolic gene polymorphisms and lung cancer

This article reports an update of pooled analysis on metabolic gene polymorphisms and cancer (the Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens [GSEC] study). The study started in 1997, and has collected data from over 52,000 subjects (half cases, half controls). The distribution of cases shows that the most represented cancer is lung cancer (6465 cases), followed by bladder cancer (3289 cases). The analyses conducted on lung cancer and metabolic gene polymorphisms are summarized and discussed. Pooled analysis allows one to study rare subgroups of subjects, such as lung cancer at young ages, or in nonsmokers, and is a useful approach for generating new working hypothesis and for fostering collaboration.