A case-control study on the association between genetic polymorphism of GSTM1 and gastric cancer susceptibility in population from Guangxi province of China

Objective To evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphism of GSTM1 genes and gastric cancer susceptibility in population from Guangxi province of China.Methods A case control study was carried out to compare the distribution frequencies of GSTM1 gene polymorphisms between gastric cancer patients(n=121) and control healthy individuals(n=138) in population from Guangxi province of China by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The association between genetic polymorphism and susceptibility of gastric cancer was studied.The interaction among genotypes,tobacco and alcohol use and gastric cancer susceptibility was also analyzed.Results The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype in gastric cancer group was significantly higher than that in control group(54.5% vs 39.1%, χ2=6.140,P=0.013).The individuals who carried GSTM1 null genotype had a 2.13 fold increased risk of gastric cancer(95% CI=1.079-1.831,P=0.013) than those carried with GSTM1(+) genotype according to data stratified by age,gender,tobacco and alcohol use.The individuals carrying GSTM1 null genotype had increased gastric cancer risk than those carrying GSTM1(+) genotype in smoking group(OR=3.247,95% CI=1.067-2.328,P=0.015),which were also higher than overall risk of gastric cancer(OR=2.129).The individuals carrying GSTM1 null genotype had increased gastric cancer risk than those carrying GSTM1(+) genotype in alcohol user group(OR=3.117,95% CI=1.020-2.863,P=0.033),which were also higher than overall risk of gastric cancer(OR=2.129).Conclusion GSTM1 null genotype is closely associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in Chinese Guangxi population.GSTM1 null genotype independently increases the gastric cancer susceptibility in tobacco and alcohol users.