Glutathione S-transferase-mu (GSTM1) and -theta (GSTT1) genotypes in the etiology of prostate cancer

Abstract

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the metabolism of numerous potential prostate carcinogens. Common homozygous germ-line deletions exist in the genes that encode GST-mu (GSTM1) and GST-theta (GSTT1) and preclude enzyme expression. To evaluate whether GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 contribute to prostate cancer (CaP) etiology, we studied 237 incident CaP cases and 239 age- and race-matched controls. The probability of having CaP was increased in men who had nondeleted (functional) genotypes at GSTT1 (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-2.80) but not GSTM1 (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-1.55). No interaction of these genes in CaP etiology was observed. GST-theta is highly expressed in the prostate and can produce genotoxic effects upon exposure to specific carcinogens. These results suggest that GSTT1 is associated with CaP risk.