Correlation of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and serum glutathione-S-transferase with PAP smear as screening tests for cervical cancer

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Papanicolaou (PAP) smear has been the test of choice in screening for cervical cancer. However,  biochemical parameters such as enzymes have been analyzed for their use in screening,  diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer and cervical pre-malignancy. In our study we aimed to analyse serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and Glutathione–S- transferase (GST) in screening for cervical cancer and correlate these activities with PAP smear results.   Materials and Methods: Women who tested positive (cases) or negative (controls) for PAP smear were the subjects of this study, and activities of GGT and GST were assayed in serum samples.    Results: Serum GST was significantly lower among the cases when compared to controls (p=0.005) while serum GGT did not differ significantly between the two groups.  There was no significant correlation between GGT and GST activities both in cases and controls.   Conclusion: Serum GST showed statistically significant difference between newly diagnosed cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and women testing negative for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia during screening. Further evaluation of serum enzymes as biomarkers for screening, diagnosis, and prognosis, with larger sample size and comparison between healthy controls, cervical premalignant lesions and cervical cancer are required. This would go a long way in establishing enzymes as sensitive biomarkers of cervical cancer.