IGlutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) Polymorphisms in Cervical Cancer in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

To evaluate the relationships between genetic polymorphisms of the GSTs (GSTM1 and GSTT1) and cervicalcancer, the null genotype of each gene was studied in squamous cell cervical cancer (SCCA) patients (n=90) andcontrols (n=94) in Northeast Thailand. The prevalence of the GSTM1-null genotype in the controls and SCCApatients was 59.6% and 60.0%, respectively, whereas those of the GSTT1-null genotype in the control andSCCA patients was 40.4% and 46.7%, respectively. Neither of the GST-null genotypes increased the risk forSCCA (p>0.05); however, the combination of the GSTM-1 and GSTT1-null genotypes showed a non-significanttrend to an increased risk for developing cervical cancer with an adjusted OR of 2.7 (95%CI=0.8-9.0, p=0.10).Genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were not significant risk factors for cervical cancer in eithertobacco-smokers or non-smokers. A different contribution of the GST genotype to cancer risk may be attributedto a different, as yet undefined, property of the enzymes.