Glutathione S-Transferase-μ (GSTM1) and -θ (GSTT1) Genotypes in the Etiology of Prostate Cancer

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention biomarkers & prevention, 1999-04, Vol.8 (4), p.283
• Main Authors: Rebbeck, T R, Walker, A H, Jaffe, J M, White, D L, Wein, A J, Malkowicz, S B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Base Sequence; Case-Control Studies; Confidence Intervals; Genetic Markers; Genotype; Germ-Line Mutation; Glutathione Transferase - genetics; Glutathione Transferase - metabolism; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; Odds Ratio; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Probability; Prostatic Neoplasms - enzymology; Prostatic Neoplasms - epidemiology; Prostatic Neoplasms - genetics; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1055-9965; 1538-7755

The glutathione S -transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism of numerous potential prostate carcinogens. Common homozygous germ-line deletions exist in the genes that encode GST-|gm ( GSTM1 ) and GST-θ ( GSTT1 ) and preclude enzyme expression. To evaluate whether GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 contribute to prostate cancer (CaP) etiology, we studied 237 incident CaP cases and 239 age- and race-matched controls. The probability of having CaP was increased in men who had nondeleted (functional) genotypes at GSTT1 (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–2.80) but not GSTM1 (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.74–1.55). No interaction of these genes in CaP etiology was observed. GST-θ is highly expressed in the prostate and can produce genotoxic effects upon exposure to specific carcinogens. These results suggest that GSTT1 is associated with CaP risk.