Hopkins RJ, Duan F, Gamble GD, et al. - Given that case–controls studies have reported an association of cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 5 (CHRNA5) variants with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and smoking addiction, researchers here re-assessed the link between the CHRNA5 variant (rs16969968 AA genotype) and lung cancer development compared to its link with COPD development and smoking. They followed 9,270 Non-Hispanic white individuals from the National Lung Screening Trial for an average of 6.4 years in a substudy of high-risk smokers. As documented previously, lower lung function, greater smoking intensity, the presence of COPD and the development of lung cancer all were reported in relation to the AA high-risk genotype. Findings of this large-prospective analysis showed an independent association of CHRNA5 rs 16 969 968 AA genotype with smoking exposure, COPD and lung cancer.