N-Acetyltransferase-2 genetic polymorphism, well-done meat intake, and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women

Heterocyclic amines found in well-done meat require host-mediated metabolic activation before initiating DNA mutations and tumors in target organs. Polymorphic N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) catalyzes the activation of heterocyclic amines via O-acetylation, suggesting that NAT2 genotypes with high O-acetyltransferase activity (rapid/intermediate acetylator phenotype) increase the risk of breast cancer in women who consume well-done meat. To test this hypothesis, DNA samples and information on diet and other breast cancer risk factors were obtained from a nested case-control study of postmenopausal women. Twenty-seven NAT2 genotypes were determined and assigned to rapid, intermediate, or slow acetylator groups based on publishe