A case-control study investigating the role of sulfotransferase 1A1 polymorphism in head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Sulfotransferases (SULT) 1A1 detoxify and bio-activate a broad spectrum of substrates including xenobiotics. The SULT1A1 gene possesses a G-->A polymorphism that results in an Arg to His substitution at codon 213, with the His allele having a low activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphisms are risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN).


METHODS
A total of 124 consecutive primary SCCHN patients and 249 age- and sex-matched hospital controls were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. A comprehensive epidemiological interview was conducted on all participants to collect their lifestyle data.


RESULTS
The His/His frequencies in cases and controls were 6.5% (8/123) and 3.6% (9/247), respectively (P=0.049). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of SCCHN and His/His genotype (OR=3.60; 95% CI=1.01-12.88). This association was stronger amongst older people, alcohol and low fruit consumers. The resulted SULT1A1 His/His genotype also associated with a higher risk of neck node positive status (OR=5.82; 95% CI=1.10-30.68).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings show for the first time that the SULT1A1 His (213) allele is a possible risk factor for head and neck cancer development.
Institute of Hygiene, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy. sboccia@rm.unicatt.it
Stefania
S
Boccia
Gabriella
G
Cadoni
Giuseppe
G
La Torre
Dario
D
Arzani
Mariangela
M
Volante
Caterina
C
Cattel
Francesco
F
Gianfagna
Gaetano
G
Paludetti
Giovanni
G
Almadori
Gualtiero
G
Ricciardi
D000225:Adenine; D000483:Alleles; D001120:Arginine; D015239:Arylsulfotransferase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003062:Codon; D005260:Female; D006147:Guanine; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics*; D006639:Histidine; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors
D003062:Codon; D006639:Histidine; D006147:Guanine; D001120:Arginine; D015239:Arylsulfotransferase; C117544:SULT1A1 protein, human; D000225:Adenine