Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S transferases M1 and T1 in Indian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to evaluate whether the association of GSTM1/T1 gene polymorphisms modifies the risk of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and what is its correlation with other predisposing risk factors like alcohol intake, cigarette smoking and hepatitis B and C infections.


METHODS
It was a case-control study, included 254 HCC cases compared with 525 hospital-based age and sex matched cases of chronic liver disease without HCC as controls from Indian population. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were detected using conventional multiplex PCR method.


RESULTS
In this case-control study, we observed a positive correlation between age, HBV and HCV infection, smoking habit of > 20 packs/year, alcohol consumption of > 100 g/day and risk of liver cancer. We found significantly increased risk associated with GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 3.49; 95% CI = 2.52-4.84) as well as GSTT1 null genotype (OR = 3.12; 95% CI = 2.19-4.45), respectively. However, an increased risk of HCC was observed among heavy drinkers with GSTM1 (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.11-3.66). Further, cigarette smoking showed a non-significant association with GSTT1 (OR = 1.49; CI = 0.69-3.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the variants in low penetrance gene such as GSTM1 and GSTT1 are associated with an increased liver cancer risk. Further, an influence of GSTM1/T1 null genotypes may contribute in the etiology of HCC in patients with higher cigarette and alcohol consumption.
Asim
Mohammad
M
Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi, India.
Khan
Luqman A
LA
Husain
S A
SA
Husain
Sajid
S
Sarma
Manash P
MP
Ahmad
Istaq
I
Sharma
J K
JK
Sharma
Anita
A
Sharma
Shashi
S
Thayumanavan
L
L
Kar
P
P
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; C413545:glutathione S-transferase T1