BACKGROUND: The identification of groups at high risk is fundamental to determine preventive strategies for skin cancer. Destructive reactive oxygen species produced by UVA or chemical carcinogens are metabolized by a series of enzymes. Polymorphisms of genes encoding for these enzymes may produce defective proteins with a diminished ability to detoxify a wide range of carcinogens. AIMS: To ascertain the influence and potential interactions of several polymorphisms of genes encoding four important antioxidant GST enzymes in the susceptibility to cancer among Brazilians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared the genotypes of Glutathione S-Transferase mu, theta, pi and omega (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTO2) in a group of 102 patients with skin lesions and 124 controls. RESULTS: Patients with Basal Cell Skin Carcinoma (BCC) presented the combined GSTM1-GSTT1+ genotype more frequently (49.1%) than controls (29.8%) (Fisher test; p=0.04), conferring a 2.273 (Odds Ratio; 95% CI=1.199-4.308) higher risk for BCC. We were not able to find any other association between genotypes or between any genotype and the patients' clinical features. CONCLUSIONS: The GST profile may help identify Brazilian individuals at higher risk for BCC.
BACKGROUND: The identification of groups at high risk is fundamental to determine preventive strategies for skin cancer. Destructive reactive oxygen species produced by UVA or chemical carcinogens are metabolized by a series of enzymes. Polymorphisms of genes encoding for these enzymes may produce defective proteins with a diminished ability to detoxify a wide range of carcinogens. AIMS: To ascertain the influence and potential interactions of several polymorphisms of genes encoding four important antioxidant GST enzymes in the susceptibility to cancer among Brazilians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We compared the genotypes of Glutathione S-Transferase mu, theta, pi and omega (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTO2) in a group of 102 patients with skin lesions and 124 controls. RESULTS:Patients with Basal Cell Skin Carcinoma (BCC) presented the combined GSTM1-GSTT1+ genotype more frequently (49.1%) than controls (29.8%) (Fisher test; p=0.04), conferring a 2.273 (Odds Ratio; 95% CI=1.199-4.308) higher risk for BCC. We were not able to find any other association between genotypes or between any genotype and the patients' clinical features. CONCLUSIONS: The GST profile may help identify Brazilian individuals at higher risk for BCC.