Summary The isoenzyme Mu of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM 1) is dominantly inherited, and the prevalence of this isoenzyme in the population is about 60%. The (Longstreth et al., 1992). As a host genetic factor, dysplastic naevi (DN), which are relatively distinct melanocytic lesions, can be precursors of melanoma, and responsible for the tendency of melanoma to run in families. Metabolic factors such as the isoenzyme Mu of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) should also be considered. GSTM1 has polymorphic expression, and about half the population from various racial groups lack it (Hussey et al., 1986). The enzyme detoxifies various carcinogenic electrophiles including epoxides, and it has therefore been attributed a protective role against neoplasias associated with smoking. Indeed, a major susceptibility to lung (Seidegard et al., 1986), bladder and larynx cancer (Lafuente et al., 1993) has been shown among smokers lacking GSTM1.When ROS damage DNA, the derived residues, which are cytotoxic and cytostatic, are also substrates of GSTM1, suggesting that these isoforms also have a role in the DNA repair system (Ketterer and Meyer, 1989).We therefore designed a study to determine whether GSTM 1 deficiency may confer susceptibility to malignant melanoma (MM) on the basis of the antioxidant properties of this isoenzyme against UV-derived ROS.
Materials and methodsA total of 197 white melanoma patients were recruited at the Dermatology Department at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona in 1993. Ninety-three patients were men (mean age 53.0 ± 19.0) and 104 were women (mean age 51.06 ± 16.4).