Glutathione S-transferase genotypes as risk factors for head and neck cancer

Background: Several enzymatic systems, including glutathlone S-transferases, are involved in the metabolism of environmental agents. The absence of glutathione S-transferases μ (GSTM1) and θ (GSTT1) results in decreased detoxification of carcinogens, for example, chemicals in cigarette smoke. These metabolic deficiencies may predispose individuals to the development of smoking-related tumors, such as cancers of the lung, head and neck, and bladder. Methods: The glutathione S-transferase genotypes of 186 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and 42 healthy controls were determined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies. Lymphocytes separated from heparinized peripheral blood or whole blood extracts served as sources of genomic DNA. The presence or absence of the gene-specific PCR products revealed the positive or negative genotypes, respectively. Results: The absence of theGSTM1 genotype conferred an odds ratio of 2.37, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.20 to 4.67. The absence of theGSTT1 gene conferred an odds ratio of 1.47 (CI 0.71 to 3.02). In the population of 42 patients and their matched 42 controls, the absence of theGSTM1 andGSTT1 genotypes conferred odds ratios of 3.10 (CI 1.24 to 7.75) and 2.18 (CI 0.91 to 5.23), respectively. Conclusions: Despite the small study size, our preliminary data suggest that genetically determined factors of carcinogen metabolism may be associated with increased risk for head and neck cancer.