scholarly journals Pharmacogenetics of outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 105 (12) ◽  
pp. 4752-4758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Claudio C. Rocha ◽  
Cheng Cheng ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Shinji Kishi ◽  
Soma Das ◽  
...  

Abstract Acquired genetic characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells are used to individualize therapy, whereas germ line genetic characteristics generally are not. We determined whether ALL outcome was related to 16 genetic polymorphisms affecting the pharmacodynamics of antileukemic agents. Of 246 children, 116 were treated on the lower-risk (LR) and 130 on the higher-risk (HR) arms of a St Jude protocol. Patients in the HR group with the glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1) nonnull genotype had greater risk of hematologic relapse (P = .03), which was further increased by the thymidylate synthetase (TYMS) 3/3 genotype (P = .03). These genotypes remained predictive in multivariate analyses (P < .001 and .003, respectively). No genotypes were predictive in the LR arm. Expression of these 2 genes in ALL blasts was lower in those with low-activity genotypes. For central nervous system relapse, among the HR group, the vitamin D receptor start site (P = .02) and intron 8 genotypes (P = .04) predisposed, whereas for LR patients the TYMS 3/3 genotype predisposed (P = .04). The GSTM1 non-null and TYMS 3/3 genotypes are plausibly linked to drug resistance. Polymorphisms interact to influence antileukemic outcome and represent determinants of response that can be used to optimize therapy. (Blood. 2005;105:4752-4758)

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 163-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Claudio Rocha ◽  
Cheng Cheng ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Shinji Kishi ◽  
Soma Das ◽  
...  

Abstract The acquired genetic characteristics of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts are often used to guide the intensity of therapy, whereas the germline host genetic characteristics of the patient generally have not been considered. Multiple common, functionally important polymorphisms affect genes whose products determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antileukemic agents. It is not yet known how genetic polymorphisms may interact to affect the outcome of antileukemic therapy. Combining classification and regression tree with failure time analysis, we assessed whether 16 genetic polymorphisms, alone or in combination, predicted relapses in 246 children with ALL, 116 of whom were treated on the lower-risk (LR) and130 on the higher-risk (HR) arms of the St Jude protocol Total XIIIB. Genotyping was performed for the following polymorphic loci: CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3; GSTP1 313A>G, GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions; MDR1 exon 21 (2677G>T/A) and MDR1 exon 26 (3435C>T); MTHFR 677C>T and MTHFR 1298A>C; NR3C1 1088A>G; SLC19A1 80G>A; TPMT 238G>C, 460G>A and 719A>G; TYMS enhancer repeat; UGT1A1 promoter repeat polymorphism; VDR intron 8 G>A and VDR FokI (start-site) T>C. In all children with available RNA in their diagnostic ALL blasts, gene expression levels of prognostic genotypes were analyzed using the Affymetrix genechip array HG_U95Av2. Among the HR group, the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) non-null genotype was associated with the risk of hematological relapse (5-year cumulative incidence, 17.1%±4.5% compared to 5.1%±2.9% for GSTM1 null genotype, p = 0.03), and among the non-null genotypes, the thymidylate synthetase (TYMS) 3/3 genotype was associated with a further increase in hematologic relapse risk (5-year cumulative incidence, 29.2%±9.5% compared to 10.9%±4.7% for TYMS 2/3 or 2/2 genotypes, p = 0.02). Increased expression levels of these two target genes (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.09, respectively) were consistent with resistance to the drugs interacting with these gene products. For central nervous system relapse, among the HR group, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) start site (p = 0.02) and intron 8 genotypes (p = 0.04) predisposed, whereas for LR patients the TYMS 3/3 genotype predisposed (p = 0.04). The genotypes associated with outcome have pharmacologic plausibility: e.g., high GST activity (GSTM1 non-null) could cause anticancer drug resistance; high TYMS activity (TYMS 3/3) would be less inhibited by antifolates. In conclusion, germline polymorphisms influence the outcome of antileukemic therapy, and therefore represent determinants of response that can be used to optimize therapy.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (7) ◽  
pp. 1658-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitesh D. Kawedia ◽  
Chengcheng Liu ◽  
Deqing Pei ◽  
Cheng Cheng ◽  
Christian A. Fernandez ◽  
...  

Abstract We have previously hypothesized that higher systemic exposure to asparaginase may cause increased exposure to dexamethasone, both critical chemotherapeutic agents for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Whether interpatient pharmaco-kinetic differences in dexamethasone contribute to relapse risk has never been studied. The impact of plasma clearance of dexamethasone and anti–asparaginase antibody levels on risk of relapse was assessed in 410 children who were treated on a front-line clinical trial for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and were evaluable for all pharmacologic measures, using multivariate analyses, adjusting for standard clinical and biologic prognostic factors. Dexamethasone clearance (mean ± SD) was higher (P = 3 × 10−8) in patients whose sera was positive (17.7 ± 18.6 L/h per m2) versus nega-tive (10.6 ± 5.99 L/h per m2) for anti–asparaginase antibodies. In multivariate analyses, higher dexamethasone clearance was associated with a higher risk of any relapse (P = .01) and of central nervous system relapse (P = .014). Central nervous system relapse was also more common in patients with anti–asparaginase antibodies (P = .019). In conclusion, systemic clearance of dexamethasone is higher in patients with anti–asparaginase antibodies. Lower exposure to both drugs was associated with an increased risk of relapse.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh A. Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed F. Elshal ◽  
Taha A. Kumosani ◽  
Alia M. Aldahlawi

L-asparaginase from bacteria has been used in treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The aim of this study was to purify and characterize L-asparaginase fromPhaseolus vulgarisseeds instead of microbial sources. L-asparaginase was purified to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme has molecular mass of 79 kDa. The purified asparaginase had very low activity toward a number of asparagine and glutamine analogues. L-asparaginase was free from glutaminase activity. Kinetic parameters, Km andVmax of purified enzyme, were found to be 6.72 mM and 0.16 μM, respectively. The enzyme had optimum pH at 8.0. The enzyme showed high stability at alkaline pH (pH 7.5–9.0) when incubated for up to 24 h. L-asparaginase had the same temperature optimum and thermal stability at 37°C. K+was able to greatly enhance the activity of asparaginase by 150% compared with other metals tested. In conclusion, L-asparaginase showed no glutaminase activity and good stability over a wide range of physiological conditions, and thus it could be used as a potential candidate for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.


2000 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1285-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald H. Mahoney ◽  
Jonathan J. Shuster ◽  
Ruprecht Nitschke ◽  
Stephen Lauer ◽  
C. Philip Steuber ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: To determine whether early intensification with 12 courses of intravenous (IV) methotrexate (MTX) and IV mercaptopurine (MP) is superior to 12 courses of IV MTX alone for prevention of relapse in children with lower-risk B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six hundred fifty-one eligible patients were entered onto the study. Vincristine, prednisone, and asparaginase were used for remission induction therapy. Patients were randomized to receive intensification with IV MTX 1,000 mg/m2 plus IV MP 1,000 mg/m2 (regimen A) or IV MTX 1,000 mg/m2 alone (regimen C). Twelve courses were administered at 2-week intervals. Triple intrathecal therapy was used for CNS prophylaxis. Continuation therapy included standard oral MP, weekly MTX, and triple intrathecal therapy every 12 weeks for 2 years. RESULTS: Six hundred forty-five patients (99.1%) achieved remission. Three hundred twenty-five were assigned to regimen A and 320 to regimen C. The estimated 4-year overall continuous complete remission for patients treated with regimen A is 82.1% (SE = 2.4%) and for regimen C is 82.2% (SE = 2.6%; P = .5). No significant difference in overall outcome was shown by sex or race. Serious grade 3/4 neurotoxicity, principally characterized by seizures, was observed in 7.6% of patients treated with either regimen. CONCLUSION: Intensification with 12 courses of IV MTX is an effective therapy for prevention of relapse in children with B-precursor ALL who are at lower risk for relapse but may be associated with an increased risk for neurotoxicity. Prolonged infusions of MP combined with IV MTX did not provide apparent advantage.


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