Objectives
The Northern Plains (NP) and Southwest (SW) American Indian populations differ in their smoking patterns and lung cancer incidence. We aimed to compare CYP2A6 genetic variation and CYP2A6 enzyme activity (representative of the rate of nicotine metabolism) between the two tribal populations, as these have previously been associated with differences in smoking, quitting, and lung cancer risk.
Methods
American Indians (N=636) were recruited from two different tribal populations (NP in South Dakota, SW in Arizona) as part of a study conducted as part of the Collaborative to Improve Native Cancer Outcomes P50 project. A questionnaire assessed smoking-related traits and demographics. Participants were genotyped for CYP2A6 genetic variants *1B, *2, *4, *7, *9, *12, *17, and *35. Plasma and/or saliva samples were used to measure nicotine’s metabolites cotinine and 3′-hydroxycotinine and determine CYP2A6 activity (3′-hydroxcotinine/cotinine, i.e. the nicotine metabolite ratio, NMR).
Results
The overall frequency of genetically reduced nicotine metabolizers, those with CYP2A6 decrease- or loss-of-function alleles, was lower in the NP compared to the SW (P=0.0006). CYP2A6 genotype was associated with NMR in both tribal groups (NP P<0.001, SW P=0.04). Notably, the rate of nicotine metabolism was higher in NP compared to SW smokers (P=0.03), and in comparison to other ethnic groups in the United States. Of the variables studied, CYP2A6 genotype was the only variable to significantly independently influence NMR among smokers in both tribal populations (NP P<0.001, SW P=0.05).
Conclusions
Unique CYP2A6 allelic patterns and rates of nicotine metabolism among these American Indian populations suggest different risks for smoking and tobacco-related disease.