Background: Polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are linked to skin cancer, but data on their association with solar keratosis (SK) are few and conflicting.
Aim: To verify the possible association between the development of SK and the 'null' GSTM1 and/or T1 genotype.
Methods: Analysis of the GSTM1 and T1 genotype of 33 subjects with ≥3 solar keratoses and of 150 controls, before and after stratification based on smoking habits, sun exposure and immunosuppression.
Results: The GST T1 null allele is significantly (P < 0.03) associated with increased prevalence of SK in our population.
Conclusions: Our study, the first on a Mediterranean population, shows the existence of a correlation between SK and the GST T1 null genotype. This result points out significant differences between subjects of different ethnic and geographical origin and warrants further investigation on a larger population, and ethnically different populations.
© 2009 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2009 British Association of Dermatologists.