Association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with prostate Cancer risk in men of African descent: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Prostate cancer (PCa) disproportionately affects men of African descent, and glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) alongside glutathione S-transferase Theta 1 (GSTT1) have been reported to be potential genetic contributors due to their role in detoxification pathways. However, evidence on their association with PCa risk in African-origin populations remains limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and PCa risk in men of African descent. Following PRISMA guidelines, seven case-control studies published between 2006 and 2023 were included, with a total of 873 PCa cases and 1121 controls from North African, West African, Afro-Caribbean, and African-American populations. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled effect sizes, with heterogeneity assessed using the I 2 statistic. The results suggest that, for GSTM1, neither the null genotype nor the positive genotype demonstrated a significant association with PCa risk, a pattern that was consistent across populations. Funnel plot assessments and Egger's regression tests ( p = 0.6876) were consistent with an absence of publication bias for GSTM1, although the small number of studies limits the power of these tests. However, GSTT1 analyses revealed considerable variability. While the null genotype showed no overall association, substantial heterogeneity (I 2 = 68.3%) was observed. Visual inspection of funnel plots suggested potential asymmetry, but Egger's test ( p = 0.5032) did not provide statistical evidence of publication bias, although this assessment is underpowered given the small number of studies. Notably, North African studies reported increased risk with the GSTT1 null genotype, whereas the Caribbean cohort showed a protective effect. The positive genotype also displayed conflicting trends, with protective effects in North Africa and elevated risks in Caribbean populations. These region-specific GSTT1 patterns should be regarded as hypothesis-generating, and the findings overall suggest that genetic risks may vary between populations and highlight the need for ancestry-focused studies that also consider environmental and lifestyle factors to better understand prostate cancer in men of African origin.
Institution: Covenant University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,000
OpenAlex ID: W7222804807