Association between Glutathione S-Transferase T1 Null Genotype and Gastric Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of 48 Studies

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have proved to be involved in the detoxifying several carcinogens and may play an important role in carcinogenesis of cancer. Previous studies on the association between Glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) polymorphism and gastric cancer risk reported inconclusive results. To clarify the possible association, we conducted a meta-analysis of eligible studies. METHODS: We searched in the Pubmed, Embase, and Wangfang Medicine databases for studies assessing the association between GSTT1 null genotype and gastric cancer risk. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was calculated to assess the strength of the association. A total of 48 studies with a total of 24,440 individuals were ultimately eligible for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Overall, GSTT1 null genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (Random-effect OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.13–1.35, P (OR) <0.001, I(2) = 45.5%). Significant association was also found in Caucasians, East Asians, and Indians (P (Caucasians) = 0.010; P (East Asians) = 0.003; P (Indians) = 0.017). After adjusting for other confounding variables, GSTT1 null genotype was also significantly associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (Random-effect OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.20–1.71, P (OR) <0.001, I(2) = 48.1%). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the significant association between GSTT1 null genotype and increased risk of gastric cancer.