As the first of the GWAS results are being published, it is reassuring that four GWAS in lung cancer identified the same region and that there are biologically plausible genes in this region. What is more daunting is how best to use the data coming from these studies. GWAS data are analyzed as if SNPs are independent, and there is little evaluation of gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. Because of genetic variation, GWAS are typically conducted in European or European American populations. Replication of findings in other populations with different LD patterns and in this case, different smoking patterns, may provide important clues in attempts to fine map regions of interest. Further identification of the specific genetic changes associated with NSCLC and nicotine dependence should include the study of African Americans who have higher rates of lung cancer than whites, but have different patterns of cigarette use.
