The Association between GSTM1, GSTT1 Genetic Variants and Gastric Carcinoma Susceptibility in Chinese: A Systematic Review Article

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been investigated as potential carcinoma susceptible genes. However, the relationship between GSTs (GSTM1, GSTT1) variants and gastric carcinoma (GC) risk has been controversial in Chinese population. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search strategy (PubMed, Chinese Biomedical Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan fang Database, etc.) was launched. Crude odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (95% CI) were applied to estimate the strength of the association. RESULTS: Significant associations between GSTs genetic polymorphisms and GC were evidenced under random-effects model (OR(GSTM1)=1.56, 95% CI: 1.39 to 1.76, I(2)=50.7%, P<0.0001; OR(GSTT1)=1.24, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.39, I(2)=43.6%, P=0.014; OR(GSTM1-GSTT1)=1.51, 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.81, I(2)=59.7%, P=0.004). The pooled ORs were not qualitatively changed when any single study was omitted by sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated an increased GC risk in Chinese population with GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype and GSTM1-GSTT1 dual null genotype. Further multi-center studies are needed to investigate the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on the susceptibility of GC.