Objective: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a large supergene family and detoxify a variety of endogenous and exogenous electrophilic compounds. Since many GSTs are polymorphic, there has been considerable interest in determining whether particular allelic variants are associated with altered risk for various disorders.
Research design and methods: In this study the association between the variant GSTM1 0/0 genotype and thyroid carcinoma was investigated. A hospital-based, case-controlled study was carried out. Polymorphisms of GSTM1 0/0 (i.e. the null allele of GSTM1) in samples from 32 cases and 44 controls were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology. The proportions of GSTM1 deleted genotype in cases and controls were 59.4% and 54.5%, respectively.
Results: There were significant increments of GSTM 0/0 genotype frequency in a group of patients aged under 40 (p = 0.033, odds ratio (OR) = 4.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30-7.13) and in former smokers compared with controls (p = 0.039, OR 2.45, 95% CI 0.216-4.72).
Conclusion: GSTM1 deleted genotype may be a useful genetic biomarker for thyroid carcinoma susceptibility in young subjects. The absence of this enzyme seems to have a role in the development of thyroid carcinoma; however, the mechanism still needs further study.