BACKGROUND: Difference in the capacity of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes might be an important factor in genetic susceptibility to cancer. METHODS: A case control study involving forty one gastric cancer patients and one hundred and thirty controls was carried out to determine the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes. The frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype was observed by carrying out multiplex PCR. RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequencies of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null and the combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype between patients and control. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GSTM1 and GSTT1 status may not influence the risk of developing gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND: Difference in the capacity of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes might be an important factor in genetic susceptibility to cancer. METHODS: A case control study involving forty one gastric cancerpatients and one hundred and thirty controls was carried out to determine the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes. The frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype was observed by carrying out multiplex PCR. RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequencies of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null and the combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype between patients and control. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GSTM1 and GSTT1 status may not influence the risk of developing gastric cancer.