INTRODUCTION

In light to recently found contribution of factors associated with thrombosis and inflammation to carcinogenesis, we investigated the possible association of angiotensin I- converting enzyme (ACE) with increased risk for oral cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In DNA samples of 160 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 153 healthy controls of comparable ethnicity, age and sex, we studied the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the ACE gene, which affects its transcription.

RESULTS

The I allele frequencies were significantly increased in patients compared to controls, 40.6% versus 27.5% (p < 0.001), respectively. The II homozygotes had a three-fold greater risk for developing oral cancer (odds ratio 3.17, 95% C.I. 1.32-7.61). A significant increase of I alleles was observed in patients regardless their smoking or alcohol consumption habits, early or advanced stage of cancer, presence or absence of a family history for cancer or thrombophilia (Fischer values p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest that the I/D polymorphism, by affecting the ACE gene expression, is associated with the progress of oral oncogenesis.