Polymorphisms in the glutathione S‐transferase M 1 , T 1 , and P 1 genes and prostate cancer prognosis

Background Polymorphisms in glutathione S‐transferase ( GST ) genes can increase oxidative stress, which may affect cancer prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine associations between GSTM 1 , T 1 , or P 1 genetic variants and prostate cancer outcomes. Methods A population‐based cohort of men (n = 752) from King County, Washington, diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993–1996, and under long‐term surveillance for mortality completed a follow‐up survey about prostate cancer recurrence/progression. Cox PH models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for deaths from prostate cancer or other causes and prostate cancer recurrence/progression. Results There were 50 prostate cancer‐specific deaths, 65 deaths from other causes, and 143 recurrence/progressions events during an average 9.6 years of follow‐up. The adjusted HR for prostate cancer mortality was 3.8 (95% CI 1.6–8.9) among Caucasian men with the GSTM 1 ‐null genotype. There were no differences, however, in mortality from other causes or prostate cancer recurrence/progression between men with GSTM 1 ‐null versus not‐null genotypes. The GSTT 1 and GSTP 1 genotypes were not associated with any of these outcomes. Discussion Results suggest that the GSTM 1 genotype may be a useful biomarker to identify patients at higher risk for fatal prostate cancer. Prostate 66: 1535–1541, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.