Polymorphic variation within the glutathione S-transferase genes and risk of adult acute leukaemia

Polymorphisms within the phase II metabolizer enzymes GST T1, GST M1 and GS T P1 affect the body's ability to detoxify a range of potential leukaemogen s encountered in the environment. Using PCR, GST T1, GST M1 and GST P1 geno types were determined in 557 adults with acute leukaemia and 952 age, sex a nd geographically matched controls. The strongest association with acute le ukaemia was observed for the GST T1 null genotype, which occurred among 19% of cases and 14% of controls [odds ratio (OR) 1.45, 95% confidence interva l (CI) 1.09-1.93]. A slightly higher proportion of cases (53%) than control s (49%) displayed the GST M1 null genotype, although the difference was not statistically significant (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.98-1.52). No effect was obser ved for the GST P1 genotype and no interaction between the GST T1 and GST M 1 genotypes was evident. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was weakly associate d with both GST T1 null (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.97-1.79) and GST M1 null (OR 1.2 4, 95% CI 0.98-1.56), whereas acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was assoc iated with GST T1 null (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.31-8.26). No associations between smoking and disease risk in relation to GST T1 and GST M1 polymorphic stat us were found.