Predictive Role of Glutathione-S-transferase Gene Polymorphisms in the Survival of Gastric Cancer Cases

Aim: We conducted a prospective study in an Chinese population to detect the association between GSTM, GSTT and GSTP gene polymorphisms and survival of gastric cancer. Methods: A prospective follow-up study with 317 gastric cancer patients was conducted between January 2003 and January 2005. GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotyping was performed using ABI TaqMan Gene Expression assays. Results: Of 317 patients, 5 were lost to follow-up due to migration, while the remaining 302 patients completed the study. The median follow-up time was 34.2 months (range: 2 to 60 months), during which a total of 120 (39.1%) died of gastric cancer. The GSTT1-null genotype showed a significant increased risk of death from gastric cancer, with an HR (95% CI) of 1.59 (1.04-3.58). Moreover, we found individuals carrying null-GSTM1 and null-GSTT1 had a moderate higher risk of death from gastric cancer, with an HR of 1.92 (1.05-3.65). Conclusion: This study reported the carriage of null GSTT1 and null GSTM1 might be linked to the higher death risk from gastric cancer in Chinese population.