Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods
Open Access

Abstract

GSTM1 Null Genotype is Associated with an Increased Risk of Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in the Japanese Population

Koji Chiyomaru, Tohru Nagano, Makoto Kunisada and Chikako Nishigori

Variations in the Glutathione S-transferase (GST) supergene family have been reported to influence cancer susceptibility in Caucasian. However the genetic backgrounds and skin types are quite different between Caucasian and non-Caucasian. We therefore investigated the distribution of GST gene polymorphism in a Japanese population to ascertain the role of this polymorphism in melanomagenesis. Forty-six patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma and 92 healthy individuals who visited Kobe University Hospital between April 2004 and November 2010 were enrolled in this study. Genotype of GST gene was determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism analysis. The frequencies of GSTM1 null genotype were significantly different between malignant melanoma and controls (adjusted odds ratio=2.25, 95% confidence interval 1.06-4.77). The polymorphism of GSTM1 locus could be associated with cutaneous malignant melanoma risk among Japanese population.