Affiliations: Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Nosheen Masood, Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 334 5890589; E-mail:nosheenmasood@hotmail.com
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: GSTM1 and GSTT1 are phase II enzymes which provide
chemical defense to cells. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to
evaluate association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion along with epidemiological
factors with risk of colon and rectum cancers. METHODOLOGY: Multiplex PCR was used for cancer patients as well as age and gender
matched cancer free controls. RESULTS: Mean age of patients and
controls was 45.5 (± 14.6) and 43.5 (± 18.08) years respectively.
Among epidemiological factors; gender, age ≥ 50 years,
active/passive smoking, naswar addiction, residential area, family history,
red meat, fruit and vegetable intake showed no association with CRC
(P ≥ 0.05). Symptoms of CRC like altered bowel habits (70%) was
more common compared with other symptoms. GSTM1 (P ≤ 0.05) and
GSTT1 (P ≤ 0.05) deletions were found to be significantly
associated with CRC compared with controls. Association of epidemiological
factors like gender, active/passive smoking, naswar addiction, residential
area and family history were associated neither with GSTM1 deletion nor to
GSTT1 deletion in both cancers (P ≥ 0.05). Significant
association was present between stage III and GSTM1 (CI 95% 0.15-1.39) as
well as GSTT1 (CI 95% 0.14-2.44) deletion in CRC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion were associated with
increased risk of colon and rectum cancer in Pakistani population.
Keywords: GSTM1, GSTT1, epidemiology, colon cancer, rectum cancer
