Polymorphisms in the glutathione S-transferase M1, T1, and P1 genes and prostate cancer prognosis

BACKGROUND. Polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes can increase oxidative stress, which may affect cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine associations between GSTM(1), T-1, or P-1 genetic variants and prostate cancer outcomes. METHODS. A population-based cohort of men (n = 752) from King County, Washington, diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993-1996, and under long-term surveillance for mortality completed a follow-up survey about prostate cancer recurrence/progression. Cox PH models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for deaths from prostate cancer or other causes and prostate cancer recurrence/progression. RESULTS. There were 50 prostate cancer-specific deaths, 65 deaths from other causes, and 143 recurrence/progressions events during an average 9.6 years of follow-up. The adjusted HR for prostate cancer mortality was 3.8 (95% CI 1.6-8.9) among Caucasian men with the GSTM(1)-null genotype. There were no differences, however, in mortality from other causes or prostate cancer recurrence/progression between men with GSTM(1)-null versus not-null genotypes. The GSTT, and GSTP(1) genotypes were not associated with any of these outcomes. DISCUSSION. Results suggest that the GSTM(1) genotype maybe a useful biomarker to identify patients at higher risk for fatal prostate cancer.