Research
Common polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTA1 and susceptibility to colorectal cancer in the Central European population
1 Department of Comprehensive Cancer Care, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Zluty kopec 7, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
2 Department of Pathological Physiology, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
3 Department of Paediatric Oncology, Masaryk University affiliated Hospital, Cernopolni 22, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic
4 Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
5 Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital in Olomouc, Krízkovského 8, 771 47, Olomouc, Czech Republic
European Journal of Medical Research 2012, 17:17 doi:10.1186/2047-783X-17-17
Published: 14 June 2012Abstract
Background
Central Europe presents with the highest incidence of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) worldwide. As sporadic CRC represents a typical multifactorial disease, it is characterized by intense interaction of the genetic background with the environment. Glutathione S-transferases could act as attractive susceptibility genes for CRC, as they are directly involved in conjugation between glutathione and chemotherapeutics, environmental pollutants and a wide spectrum of xenobiotics.
Methods
In this study, we investigated associations of polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) genes, that is GSTA1, GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1, with CRC in a total of 197 cases and 218 controls originating from the Czech Central European population. Polymorphisms were assessed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism-based methods, allele-specific multiplex and allelic discrimination by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results
None of investigated polymorphisms showed any associations with CRC, with the exception of GSTP1; where the heterozygote genotype Ile105Val was associated with decreased risk of CRC (P = 0.043).
Conclusions
The frequencies observed in our study are in accordance with those from other European Caucasian populations. Based on our studies, examined variability in GST genes is not a major determinant of CRC susceptibility in the Central European population.
