Genetic polymorphisms in the drug detoxification genes and susceptibility to Urinary Bladder Cancer (UBC)

Abstract

The central event in cancer development is loss of genomic integrity which itself probably initiates from the alteration of genomic DNA by exogenous or endogenous carcinogens. All humans are exposed to various environmental and occupational sources of genotoxic compounds and radiations which may act as carcinogens. Genetic factors are thought to play a central role in determining individual susceptibility to carcinogens. Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. In this review, the literature investigating the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolizing genes and the risk of UBC are summarised. We have thoroughly reviewed the DNA polymorphism studies on GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, GSTM3, GSTA1, NAT1, NAT2, SULT, UGT, MPO, COMT, MnSOD, GPX1 and ADH3 genes in relation with UBC. Overall, it appears that genetic polymorphisms in the drug detoxification genes play an important role in determining susceptibility to UBC.