Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and survival from head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic ability of polymorphisms of three genes involved in the metabolism of tobacco carcinogens (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1) and one polymorphism of a DNA repair gene (XRCC1) for patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate risk of death for a prospective cohort of 190 patients.


RESULTS
Individuals with the GSTT1 functional genotype were twice as likely to die from any cause (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-4.97) and were three times as likely to die from SCC (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.33-8.41) after adjustment for age, primary therapy, and stage of disease. The XRCC1 399 Gln genotype was predictive of disease recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings, from one of the first studies to examine this research question, suggest that genomic markers of carcinogen metabolism and DNA repair capability may serve as prognostic indicators of disease recurrence and death.
Geisler
Stacy A
SA
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Oregon Health & Science University, 611 SW Campus Drive, Mailcode: SD544, Portland, OR 97201-3097, USA. geislest@ohsu.edu
Olshan
Andrew F
AF
Cai
Jianwen
J
Weissler
Mark
M
Smith
Joanna
J
Bell
Douglas
D
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D000076105:X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D051549:Glutathione S-Transferase pi; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D007527:Isoenzymes; D000076105:X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1; C000619371:XRCC1 protein, human; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1; C496556:GSTP1 protein, human