Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione-S-transferase P1, T1 and M1 in pediatric patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia in a Philippine tertiary hospital / Maria Melanie Liberty B. Alcausin, Pamela D. Fajardo, Catherine Lynn T. Silao, Amy Goleta-Dy, Eufrosina A. Melendres, Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-dela Paz, Carmencita David-Padilla

Introduction. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are major detoxifying enzymes that modify susceptibility in cancers including acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). This paper determines the frequency of GST polymorphisms (M1, T1, P1) in Filipino ALL patients and control subjects and compares the frequencies between the two groups. Methods. Pediatric ALL patients at the UP-PGH Medical Center seen from January to June 2007 were enrolled. Age and sex matched subjects without ALL from the UP-PGH Outpatient Department were included as controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of each subject. GSTM1 and T1 polymorphisms were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) while restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was employed for the determination of GSTP1 polymorphisms. Matched Odds Ratio was used to compare the genomic frequencies of control and ALL patients. Results. The presence of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms showed a trend towards protection from having ALL, with OR 0.59 (95% CI: 0.24- 1.36) and OR 0.86 (95% CI: 0.36-2.00), respectively. Having the GSTP1 polymorphism was shown to be a risk factor [OR 1.7 (95% CI: 0.74- 4.15)]. Conclusion. Differences in GST polymorphism frequencies were noted between the control group and ALL patients. GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms appear protective while having the GSTP1 polymorphism confers increased risk for ALL.

Nursing.