Race is widely believed to be a factor in the relationship between S allele of L-MYC oncogene and disseminated lung cancer. In particular, the clinical significance of L-MYC genotype was demonstrated in the Japanese while the results for the white US, Australian and Norwegian cohorts were negative. The present study was concerned with distribution of L-MYC oncogene alleles in 43 patients with lung cancer and 77 healthy subjects in Moldova. L and S allele frequency in both groups were nearly identical. However, the SS genotype was registered much more frequently in patients with metastasis (10/28; 36%)(p < 0.05) than in those with localized tumor (0/12). Moreover, overall frequency of S allele was significantly higher in lung cancer patients with node involvement (35/56; 63%)(p < 0.02) than in those with localized tumors (8/24; 33%)(p < 0.02). Finally, a significant correlation was found between S allele occurrence and distant metastases (M1: 19/28; 68%; M0:26/58; 45%)(p < 0.05). Similar data were reported in Russia. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)