Association between glutathione S-transferase p1 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in Caucasians: a case-control study

Lung Cancer. 2003 Apr;40(1):25-32. doi: 10.1016/s0169-5002(02)00537-8.

Abstract

Glutathione transferases (GSTs), a multiple gene family of phase II enzymes, catalyze detoxifying endogenous reactions with glutathione and protect cellular macromolecules from damage caused by cytotoxic and carcinogenic agents. Glutathione S-transferase p1 (GSTP1), the most abundant GST isoform in the lung, metabolizes numerous carcinogenic compounds including benzo[a]pyrene, a tobacco carcinogen. Previous studies suggest that genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 exon 5 (Ile105Val) and exon 6 (Ala114Val) have functional effects on the GST gene product resulting in reduced enzyme activity. Individuals with reduced GST enzymatic activity may be at a greater risk for cancer due to decreased detoxification of carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. Utilizing a hospital-based case-control study, we investigated the association between GSTP1 polymorphisms at exons 5 and 6 with lung cancer risk. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to successfully genotype the GSTP1 exons 5 and 6 polymorphism in 582 Caucasian lung cancer cases and 600 frequency matched Caucasian controls. There was no association between the exon 5 variant genotypes (A/G+G/G) and overall lung cancer risk (OR=1.09; 95% CI 0.82-1.45) nor when stratified by age, gender, and smoking status. However, the exon 6 variant genotypes (C/T+T/T) were associated with a statistically significant elevated lung cancer risk (OR=1.40; 95% CI 1.06-1.92). Additionally, there was an increase in lung cancer risk for the exon 6 variant genotypes in younger individuals (<62 years) (OR=1.63; 95% C.I. 1.07-2.49) but no effect in older individuals (OR=1.14; 95% CI 0.72-1.81). A statistically significant increased risk of lung cancer was also observed for the exon 6 variant genotypes among men (OR=2.17; 95% CI 1.41-3.33), but not among women (OR=0.80; 95% CI 0.51-1.28). Among ever smokers, the exon 6 variant genotypes were associated with an elevated lung cancer risk (OR=1.58; 95% CI 1.14-2.19), which was not evident for never smokers (OR=0.53; 95% CI 0.21-1.33). These data demonstrate that the GSTP1 exon 6 polymorphism, but not the exon 5 polymorphism, is associated with lung cancer risk that is especially evident in men, younger individuals, and ever smokers.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Exons / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • Glutathione Transferase / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Isoenzymes / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic*
  • Risk Factors
  • United States
  • White People

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Isoenzymes
  • GSTP1 protein, human
  • Glutathione S-Transferase pi
  • Glutathione Transferase