Human glutathione S-transferase μ (GSTμ) deficiency as a marker for the susceptibility to bladder and larynx cancer among smokers

Phenotype of glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM1) and susceptibility to malignant melanoma

“…However, in contrast to what is observed in other tumours (Seidegard et al, 1986;Lafuente et al, 1993), the distribution of GSTM1 phenotypes is similar in smokers and in non-smokers, suggesting that in this case GSTM1 protection is not related to tobacco smoke exposure.…”

“…GSTM1 deficiency has been studied in relation to lung (Seidegard et al, 1986), bladder and larynx cancer (Lafuente et al, 1993) and in individuals with multiple skin cancers (Heagerty et al, 1994), but this is the first time that this deficiency has been related to melanoma as single tumour.…”

“…Individuals with genetic absence of this isoenzyme appear to be more susceptible to these neoplasms. It also seems that these neoplasms appear in a more aggressive form, since certain negative clinical aspects, such as age at diagnosis, histological types and, especially, the depth of the tumour penetration, tend to depend on the presence of this isoenzyme (Lafuente et al, 1993).…”

“…The enzyme detoxifies various carcinogenic electrophiles including epoxides, and it has therefore been attributed a protective role against neoplasias associated with smoking. Indeed, a major susceptibility to lung (Seidegard et al, 1986), bladder and larynx cancer (Lafuente et al, 1993) has been shown among smokers lacking GSTM1.When ROS damage DNA, the derived residues, which are cytotoxic and cytostatic, are also substrates of GSTM1, suggesting that these isoforms also have a role in the DNA repair system (Ketterer and Meyer, 1989).We therefore designed a study to determine whether GSTM 1 deficiency may confer susceptibility to malignant melanoma (MM) on the basis of the antioxidant properties of this isoenzyme against UV-derived ROS. …”

“…The enzyme detoxifies various carcinogenic electrophiles including epoxides, and it has therefore been attributed a protective role against neoplasias associated with smoking. Indeed, a major susceptibility to lung (Seidegard et al, 1986), bladder and larynx cancer (Lafuente et al, 1993) has been shown among smokers lacking GSTM1.…”