GSTM1 and NAT2 polymorphisms and colon, lung and bladder cancer risk: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) are phase II enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and whose polymorphisms have been related to individual cancer risks.


METHODS
A case-control study was performed including 92 colon, 75 lung and 23 bladder cancer patients and 121 corresponding controls to verify the existence of an association between the main genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and NAT2 and the risk to develop cancer. Genomic DNA, isolated from 5 mL whole blood, was used to study GSTM1 and NAT2 polymorphisms using multiplex PCR and a PCR-RFLP technique, respectively.


RESULTS
GSTM1 homozygous null genotype was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, especially in females and in younger patients. For NAT2 gene, the results suggest a role for the low acetylator phenotype in the development of colon and lung cancer, especially in females. In bladder cancer patients two rare NAT2 genotypes were found at a higher frequency compared with all the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results do not suggest a different distribution of GSTM1 and NAT2 polymorphisms in the studied population compared to those reported for other Caucasian populations and warrant further studies in order to evaluate their potential relationship with individual cancer risks.
Zupa
Angela
A
Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Regionale della Basilicata (CROB), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza.
Sgambato
Alessandro
A
Bianchino
Gabriella
G
Improta
Giuseppina
G
Grieco
Vitina
V
LA Torre
Giuseppe
G
Campisi
Biagina
B
Traficante
Antonio
A
Aieta
Michele
M
Cittadini
Achille
A
D000368:Aged; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; C478900:NAT2 protein, human; D005982:Glutathione Transferase