Abstract

The genes glutathione S- transferase M1 (GSTM1) and GSTT1 involved in phase II metabolism catalyse glutathione – mediated reduction of exogenous and endogenous electrophiles. A case control study was designed to identify association between polymorphisms at GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and endometrial cancer risk. Genotype frequencies in 50 patient’s women with endometrial cancer were compared with 50 healthy volunteers who served as controls. While there was lack of association betweenGSTM1 null genotype with the risk of endometrial cancer, the null genotype of GSTT1 had a 5.7 fold increased risk toward endometrial cancer (OR=5.76; 95% CI = 2.07-15.97). The both GSTM1, GSTT1 null genotype increased risk to about 3 fold. When stratified according to different grades of endometrial cancer the GSTM1 was more representative in grade III (OR=2.6), the association become stronger when the GSTT1 gene was also null (OR= 4.6).

Key words: Endometrial cancer, genetic polymorphism, glutathione S-transferase.