Glutathione S-transferase expression in benign and malignant eyelid tumors

Eyelid tumors commonly originate from the skin and its appendages. Environmental toxins and oxidants affect eyelid carcinogenesis. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are antioxidants that participate in pathogenesis. We investigated GST levels in malignant and benign eyelid tumors in otherwise healthy individuals. We used 57 malignant eyelid biopsies, benign eyelid biopsies, and tissue removed during blepharoplasty and entropion operations culled from pathology archives. Specimens were divided into three groups: malignant lesions, benign lesions and controls consisting of eyelid tissue removed during routine blepharoplasty and entropion surgery. Specimens were immunostained for seven GST (GST-A, GST-P, GST-Z, GST-S, GST-K, GST-O, GST-T) and the intensity of staining was quantified. In the malignant group, GST-O and GST-P staining was less intense than for the control group. In the benign group, the GST-P level was less than for the control group. We found no significant difference between the intensity of staining in malignant and benign groups. Our findings suggest that GST-O and GST-P enzymes may play significant roles in eyelid carcinogenesis.