Objective: To study the association of genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and its susceptibility to esophageal cancer.
Methods: Odds ratio was employed to evaluate the risk of esophageal cancer and GSTM1 status. To take into account the possibility of heterogeneity across the studies, a statistical test for heterogeneity across the studies was performed. Both fixed and random effect Meta-analysis models were used. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot.
Results: A total of 1190 cases and 1964 controls from 11 studies was included. The pooled OR (with 95% CI) was 1.197 (0.846 - 1.692). Of 11 studies, 5 studies were stratified by smoking. In smoking groups, the pooled OR was 1.523 (1.099 - 2.109) while in non-smoking groups, the pooled OR was 0.933 (0.469 - 1.692).
Conclusion: Our results through Meta-analysis did not support the association between GSTM1 null genotype and esophageal cancer, but the smokers carring the GSTM1 null genotype might be associated with the increased risk of esophageal cancer.