GSTT1 Null Genotype and Susceptibility to Children Acute Leukemia in Chinese Population: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES: Increasing number of studies has focused on studying the relationship between glutathione S-transferase T1 polymorphism and children acute leukemia, among which discrepancies have risen. The aim of this study is to provide a more exact assessment of glutathione S-transferase T1 polymorphism and children acute leukemia among certain Chinese population. METHODS: Studies were identified using PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Biology Medicine from beginning to July 2018. The strength of association was quantified by pooling odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using fixed-effect or random-effect model according to the heterogeneity. RESULTS: Overall, a positive relationship was found in null genotype of glutathione S-transferase T1 polymorphism on the risk of childhood acute leukemia among all Chinese populations (odds ratios: 1.52; 95% confidence intervals = 1.19-1.94). Similarly, consistent results were found in subgroup of Southern China (odds ratios: 1.48; 95% confidence intervals: 1.08-2.02), Northern China (odds ratios: 1.59; 95% confidence intervals: 1.09-2.33), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (odds ratios: 1.61; 95% confidence intervals: 1.19-2.17), “age > 18 years” (odds ratios: 1.59; 95% confidence intervals: 1.09-2.33), “age < 18 years” (odds ratios: 1.48; 95% confidence intervals: 1.08-2.02), and population-based studies (odds ratios: 1.60; 95% confidence intervals: 1.16-2.20). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, finding from the current study indicated that GSTT1 null polymorphism may be susceptible on childhood acute leukemia among Chinese.