Association of GST Gene Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Leukemia in Punjabi Population and Differential Chemotherapy Response

摘要

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) isoenzymes play a significant role in phase II biotransformation and detoxification of many xenobiotics including environmental carcinogens, pollutants and drugs. Both the genetic polymorphisms and expression pattern of GST genes may have a major impact on cancer susceptibility, inter-individual variability in the prognosis, drug effects and toxicity. Of these, GSTT1 and GSTM1 isoenzymes are highly polymorphic with homozygous deletion of either or both genes resulting in absence of enzyme activity. We carried out a case-control study involving 150 Leukemia patients and 134 normal healthy controls from Punjab (North India). Multiplex PCR was carried out to determine GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphism. The frequency of individuals carrying GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes was higher among Leukemia patients (42 % and 23 %) as compared to the control group (41 % and 19 %), although the difference found was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Heterogeneity in patients's response to chemotherapy is consistently observed across populations so follow up of patients is in process to analyze the association of GST genotypes with differential chemotherapy drug response. The results will be presented in the conference.