N-Acetyltransferase 2, glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in an Algerian population

This study was conducted to investigate the potential association of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1/T1 (GSTM1, GSTT1), and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genes and epidemiological parameters with the risk of HCC in the Algerian population. A case-control study including 132 confirmed HCC patients and 141 cancer-free controls was performed. Genotyping analysis was performed using conventional multiplex PCR and PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). GSTM1 null and NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes confer an increased risk to HCC (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.16-3.05; OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.26-4.18, respectively). This association was prevalent in smokers (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.05-3.8 and OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.22-5.34, respectively). No significant association was observed for GSTT1 null genotype in the contribution to HCC risk (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.46-1.27). In conclusion, the GSTM1 and NAT2 gene polymorphisms are positively associated with the risk of HCC in older men and especially in smokers.