Sulfotransferase 1A1 G638A polymorphism, cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in Taiwan

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for bladder cancer (BC). Sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1), a phase II enzyme, plays an important role in the metabolism of several carcinogens contained in cigarettes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SULT1A1 G638A polymorphism, cigarette smoking and bladder cancer risk in Taiwan. A total of 150 BC patients and 150 cancer-free controls were recruited from February 2002 to February 2009. Genotyping of the SULT1A1 G638A polymerphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR- RFLP) method. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as a measure of the combined effect of cigarette smoking and the SULT1A1 G638A polymorphism on BC risk. In the present study, we found that study subjects with the G/G genotype of the SULT1A1 gene had a significantly higher BC risk of 1.7 (95% CI = 1.3 - 3.2) compared with those carrying the combination of G/A and A/A genotypes. Moreover, ever smokers who carried the G/G genotype of the SULT1A1 gene had a significantly increased UC risk of 3.5 (95% CI = 2.5 - 10.2) compared with never smokers who carried the G/A and A/A genotypes as the reference group. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SULT1A1 G638A polymorphism is associated with the development of BC, especially among cigarette smokers.