The 5^th International ALDH2 STAR Research Symposium on Human disease and Public Health

ALDH2 deficiency is one of the most common human enzymopathies in the world, affecting 560 million East Asians or 8% of the world population. Taiwan ranks the highest in the world with 45-47% of its population being ALDH2 deficient. ALDH2 deficiency causes the well-known “Asian Alcohol Facial Flushing Syndrome” or “Alcohol Intolerance” due to the accumulation and sensitivity to acetaldehyde toxicity after alcohol consumption. Acetaldehyde derived from alcohol intake has been classified as Group 1 carcinogen by WHO (IARC) since 2007. ALDH2 deficiency is clearly one of the genetic risk factors for upper aerodigestive cancers and other cancers among drinkers. The deficiency is also associated with increased risk of a wide range of other human diseases. The 5^th International ALDH2 STAR Research Symposium on Human Disease and Public Health aims to bring expertise from the international community to promote ALDH2 research collaboration and public awareness of ALDH2 deficiency. This symposium is an annual event organized by the International ALDH2 STAR Research Consortium initiated by Stanford University and Taiwan. We cordially invite your participation to this symposium hosted by Kaohsiung Medical University.