Evaluation of the mutation of glutathione S-transferase T1 in childhood acute myeloid leukemia

Objective: Our aim is to determine the rate of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null genotypes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients as a risk factor and analyze the prognostic significance of this gene polymorphism. Patients and methods: We genotyped GSTT1 in two groups: the patient group included 30 children with AML who were receiving chemotherapy and the control group included 50 healthy children. PCR amplification was used to assign the GSTT1 genotype for the cases and the controls. The outcomes were compared in the patient group (those with and without GSTT1 genes). Results: The frequency of GSTT1 null was significantly increased in the AML cases compared with the controls (50 vs. 10%). Conclusion The GSTT1 null genotype is a significant risk factor for childhood AML. The frequency of early death was high in GSTT1-negative cases. Patients with the GSTT1-negative genotype had reduced survival compared with those with at least one GSTT1 allele (GSTT1 positive). The frequency of relapse from the end of induction did not show any significant difference in the GSTT1-negative and the GSTT1-positive cases. The GSTT1 genotype might be useful when deciding on appropriate chemotherapy regimens for children with AML