Consistent but indirect evidence has implicated genetic factors in smoking behavior1,2. We report meta-analyses of several smoking phenotypes within cohorts of the Tobacco and Genetics Consortium (n = 74,053). We also partnered with the European Network of Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology (ENGAGE) and Oxford-GlaxoSmithKline (Ox-GSK) consortia to follow up the 15 most significant regions (n > 140,000). We identified three loci associated with number of cigarettes smoked per day. The strongest association was a synonymous 15q25 SNP in the nicotinic receptor gene CHRNA3 (rs1051730[A], β = 1.03, standard error (s.e.) = 0.053, P = 2.8 × 10−73). Two 10q25 SNPs (rs1329650[G], β = 0.367, s.e. = 0.059, P = 5.7 × 10−10; and rs1028936[A], β = 0.446, s.e. = 0.074, P = 1.3 × 10−9) and one 9q13 SNP in EGLN2 (rs3733829[G], β = 0.333, s.e. = 0.058, P = 1.0 × 10−8) also exceeded genome-wide significance for cigarettes per day. For smoking initiation, eight SNPs exceeded genome-wide significance, with the strongest association at a nonsynonymous SNP in BDNF on chromosome 11 (rs6265[C], odds ratio (OR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.04–1.08, P = 1.8 × 10−8). One SNP located near DBH on chromosome 9 (rs3025343[G], OR = 1.12, 95% Cl 1.08–1.18, P = 3.6 × 10−8) was significantly associated with smoking cessation.

Summary Background There is substantial variability in therapeutic response and adverse effects with pharmacotherapies for tobacco dependence. Biomarkers to optimize treatment choice for individual smokers may improve treatment outcomes.Wetested whether a genetically-informed biomarker of nicotine clearance, the nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR; 3’hydroxycotinine/cotinine), predicts response to nicotine patch vs. varenicline for smoking cessation. Methods AnNMR-stratified multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from November 2010-September 2013 at 4 sites. Treatment-seeking smokers (1246: 662 slow metabolizers; 584 normal metabolizers) were randomized to 11-weeks of nicotine patch (active patch + placebo pill), varenicline (active pill + placebo patch), or placebo (placebo pill + patch), plus behavioral counseling; an intent-to-treat analysis was conducted. Participants were followed for 12-months following the target quit date.The primary endpoint was biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment (EOT) to estimate the pharmacologic effect of treatment by NMR. Secondary outcomes were side-effects, withdrawal symptoms, and 6- and 12-month abstinence rates. ClinicalTrials.govregistration: NCT01314001 Findings In the longitudinal model including all time points, the NMR-by-treatment interaction was significant (ratio of odds ratios (ORR)=1·96; CI=(1·11, 3·46); p=0·02). The results indicate that varenicline was more efficacious than nicotine patch for normal metabolizers, whilethe efficacy was equivalent for slow metabolizers. In cross-sectional analyses, the interaction was significant at EOT (ORR)=1·89; CI=(1·02, 3·45); p=0·04) andat 6-months (ORR=2·07; CI=(1·01, 4·22); p=0·05), but not at 12-months (p=0·14). An NMR-by-treatment interaction showed that slow (vs. normal) metabolizers reported greater overallside-effects severity with vareniclinevs. placebo (β−1·06; CI=(−2·08, −0·03); p=0·044). Interpretation Treating normal metabolizers with varenicline and slow metabolizers with nicotine patchmayoptimize quit rates while minimizing side-effects. Funding National Institutes of Health

Evaluated the impact of receiving abnormal mammogram results on women's anxiety and breast cancer worries and on their breast self-examination (BSE) frequency and intentions to obtain subsequent mammograms. A telephone survey was conducted with 308 women 50 years old and older approximately 3 months following a screening mammogram. Subjects included women with suspicious abnormal mammograms, nonsuspicious abnormal mammograms, and normal mammograms. Women with suspicious abnormal mammograms exhibited significantly elevated levels of mammography-related anxiety and breast cancer worries that interfered with their moods and functioning, despite the fact that diagnostic work-ups had ruled out breast cancer. Women with moderate levels of impairment in mood or functioning were more likely to practice monthly BSE than women with either high or low levels of impairment. Breast cancer worries, perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, and physician encouragement to get mammograms all exhibited independent positive relationships to mammogram intentions.

BRCAPRO is an accurate counseling tool for determining the probability of carrying mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 is highly sensitive, missing an estimated 15% of mutations. In the populations studied, breast cancer susceptibility genes other than BRCA1 and BRCA2 either do not exist, are rare, or are associated with low disease penetrance.