Genetic polymorphism of GSTM1, GSTP1 in lung cancer patients of Bangladesh

Abstract

Lung cancer has been the most common cancer in the world for several decades, and by 2008, there were an estimated 1.61 million new cases, representing 12.7% of all new cancers. It was also the most common cause of death from cancer; with 1.38 million deaths (18.2% of the total). The majority of the cases now occur in the developing countries (55%). The impact of genetic polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 on susceptibility to lung cancer has received particular interest since these enzymes play a central role in detoxification of major classes of tobacco carcinogens. In the current study we investigated the role of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms as a genetic modifier of risk for individuals with lung cancer as susceptible genotypes. Objective Our main goal was to verify possible associations between polymorphisms of these genes and susceptibility to lung cancer. GSTM1 and GSTP1 codify conjugation enzymes associated with detoxification processes of free radicals, xenobiotics and cytotoxic drugs. GSTT1 is involved in the detoxification of some environmental carcinogens. Homozygous deletions or null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes and GSTP1 -313-A/G have been reported as strong predisposing risk factors for lung cancer in different populations.