RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase T1 detoxifies some environmental carcinogens while activating others and is deleted in 15% to 38% of humans. We sought to determine whether GSTT1 genotype and genotypes of several related genes are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). METHODS: Somatic genotypes for GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 were determined in 283 individuals with HNSCC and 208 population-based controls. RESULTS: The OR for presence of GSTT1 was 1.6 (CI, 1.1-2.5, p = 0.03). HNSCC risk was not associated with GSTM1 null genotype, the presence of the GSTP1 Val/Val genotype, or the Val/Val homozygous genotype for CYP1A1. Stratified analysis revealed disparate ORs for women (OR, 3.0; CI, 1.5-6.3) and men (OR, 1.2; CI, 0.7-2.1) for the presence of GSTT1. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, the presence of GSTT1 gene was associated with a significant increase in the risk of HNSCC. This association was particularly robust in women.