Expression of GSTM1 in angiofibromas

The aetiology of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is largely unknown. In this study, we have investigated the expression of glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene in angiofibroma. The GSTM1 allele gene locus is normally found in all human beings. When this is not expressed there is an increased risk of developing a malignancy of the upper aerodigestive tract. In this study, we have assessed eight samples of JNA for the expression of GSTM1, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), three of the eight patients studied failed to express this gene. Further investigation in this area is warranted.