Abstract
BACKGROUND: Detoxification enzymes of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family are cytosolic phase II detoxification enzymes and play an important role in the normal functioning of the human antioxidant system. When the normal function of GST is disturbed or absent, there can be disturbances in cell metabolism, proliferation, and apoptosis. Deletions in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have been observed in several different diseases as well as in the development of cancer. There is a need to analyze the relationship between glioma and GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletion to better understand the relationship between brain tumors and GST polymorphisms, which is crucial for adopting a multidisciplinary approach to prognosis and treatment of brain tumors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional clinical-laboratory study, gene deletions were examined in 34 patients with brain tumors originating from glial cells-gliomas and 88 healthy individuals. All participants were of Polish nationality and were not related. RESULTS: An increase in GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions was observed in glioma patients compared with the control group. The greatest increase showing a marked rise of 10 times (11.8% vs 1.14%, P < .05) is in the null genotype of both genes (GSTM1-/GSTT1) [odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-0.802] but less in the genotype with deletion of 1 GST gene (GSTM1-/GSTT1+ and GSTM1+/GSTT1-). In addition, the findings indicated a decrease in the non-deletion genotype of both genes (GSTM1+/GSTT1+) in healthy individuals. This study showed a higher frequency of GST gene deletion in glioma patients in the studied population. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the obtained findings, it can be said that the examination of the selected detoxification enzymes can be a useful marker in the diagnosis of glioblastoma.