Introduction: One of the potential genes which can increase the risk of cancer is GSTP1 gene. It encodes enzyme called glutathione S-transferase π class, which is involved in the detoxification of a variety of potential carcinogenic compounds. Polymorphism in this gene can cause the amino acid substitution. This substitution, close to the substrate binding site, changes the enzymatic activity for particular substrates and subsequently increases the risk of carcinogenesis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of GSTP1 polymorphism in thyroid cancer and possible association between GSTP1 polymorphism and age at diagnosis.
Material and methods: 103 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and 53 individuals from control group were examined using PCR–RFLP.
Results: Statistically insignificant association of studied polymorphisms with thyroid cancer was observed. Comparison of allele frequency between cases and control groups revealed the presence of risk alleles. For the first polymorphism Ile OR = 1.257; 95% CI [0.792–1.997] (p = 0.332), and for the second one Val OR = 1.283; 95% CI [0.6260–2.631] (p = 0.495). The presence of Val/Val (c.313A>G) led to a significant earlier age of onset as compared with other genotypes (p < 0.05). Mean age at diagnosis for Val/Val genotype was 41.1 ± 15.2, and for Ile/Val + Ile/Ile reached 48.9 ± 13.2. There was no association between age and genotype for c.341C>T polymorphism.
Conclusions: Statistically insignificant association of GSTP1 gene polymorphism with thyroid cancer was observed in studied group of patients. The Val/Val genotype for c.313A>G polymorphism led to earlier age of tumour diagnosis as compared with other genotypes.