Glutathione-S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1) Null Phenotypes and Risk of Lung Cancer in a Korean Population

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate any association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes withthe risk of lung cancer in a South Korean population.
Methods: We conducted a large-scale, population-basedcase-control study including 3,933 lung cancer cases and 1,699 controls. Genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 weredetermined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Results: In logistic regression analysis adjusted for age andsmoking, we did not find any association between GSTM1 or GSTT1 and LC risk in women. However, in men,the GSTM1 and GSTTI null genotypes were borderline associated with risk (OR=1.18, 95% CI=0.99-1.41 forGSTM1, OR=1.18, 95% CI=0.99-1.41 for GSTT1), and combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes conferredan increased risk for LC in men (OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.08–1.78). The OR for the GSTT1 null genotype was greaterin subjects aged 55 years old or younger (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.09-1.92 for men; OR=1.36, 95% CI=0.97–1.90for women), than in those over age 55 (OR=1.03, 95% CI=0.83-1.27 for men; OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.66–1.12 forwomen) in both genders (p for interaction <0.05).
Conclusions: In the Korean population, the GSTM1 andGSTT1 null genotypes are risk factors for LC in men; the GSTT1 null genotype has a more prominent effecton LC risk in younger people (age 55 years and under) than in older individuals.