Polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1) and breast cancer susceptibility

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) family of enzymes function in the body to detoxify carcinogenic compounds. Several genes that code for these enzym es are polymorphic, with particular genotypes previously shown to confer an increased cancer risk. In this study, we investigated the role of three GS T genes (GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1) in the development of sporadic breast canc er. Genotypes were determined in 129 breast cancer affected and 129 age and sex matched control individuals. Results did not support an involvement of these specific GST gene polymorphisms, either independently or in combinat ion, in susceptibility to sporadic breast cancer in the tested Australian C aucasian population. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Al l rights reserved.