INFLUENCE OF POLYMORPHISMS OF GSTM1 AND GSTT1 FOR RISK OF RENAL-CELL CANCER IN WORKERS WITH LONG-TERM HIGH OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO TRICHLOROETHENE

Suspected nephrocarcinogenic effects of trichloroethene (TRI) in human s are attributed to metabolites derived from the glutathione transfera se (GST) pathway. The influence of polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 is oenzymes on the risk of renal cell cancer in subjects having been expo sed to high levels of TRI over many years was investigated. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were determined by internal standard controlled polyme rase chain reaction. Fourty-five cases with histologically verified re nal cell cancer and a history of long-term occupational exposure to hi gh concentrations of TRI were studied. A reference group consisted of 48 workers from the same geographical region with similar histories of occupational exposures to TRI but not suffering from any cancer. Amon g the 45 renal cell cancer patients, 27 carried at least one functiona l GSTM1 gene (GSTM1 +) and 18 at least one functional GSTT1 gene (GSTT 1+). Among the 48 reference workers, 17 were GSTM1+ and 31 were GSTT1. Odds ratios for renal cell cancer were 2.7 for GSTM1+ individuals (9 5% CI, 1.18-6.33; P < 0.02) and 4.2 for GSTT1+ individuals (95% CI, 1. 16-14.91; P < 0.05), respectively. The data support the present concep t of the nephrocarcinogenicity of TRI.