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URL http://www.rockymountainbmt.com/news/Lymphoma-response-to-methotrexate-might-be-affected-by-reduced-folate-carrier-1-polymorphisms-584.html

Lymphoma response to methotrexate might be affected by reduced folate carrier 1 polymorphisms

06-16-2006

Lymphoma response to methotrexate might be affected by reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1) genetic polymorphisms.

"The authors investigated whether high-dose methotrexate-induced toxicity differed according to the presence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) or RFC1 genetic polymorphism. The authors studied 15 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoblastic lymphoma who were treated using protocols that included high-dose methotrexate (3.0 g/m2), for an overall total of 43 courses," scientists in Japan reported.

"Methotrexate-induced toxicities and the plasma methotrexate concentrations were evaluated retrospectively," explained N. Shimasaki and colleagues, Keio University. "Hematologic toxicity was the most frequently observed toxicity, appearing in 87% of the patients. In a subset of patients (47%), elevation of liver transaminase levels showed a repeated tendency to develop. High plasma methotrexate concentrations at 48 hours after the methotrexate infusion were not significantly related to methotrexate-induced toxicities except for mucositis.

"A generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that vomiting during the high-dose methotrexate treatment was more pronounced in patients who had a larger number of G alleles at the RFC1 80G>A polymorphism. No significant differences in the development of other toxicities or in the plasma methotrexate concentrations were observed for the different MTHFR 677C>T or RFC1 80G>A polymorphisms."

The researchers concluded, "This study suggests but does not prove that the RFC1 80G>A polymorphism may contribute to interindividual variability in responses to high-dose methotrexate."

Shimasaki and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (Effects of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and reduced folate carrier 1 polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate-induced toxicities in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 2006;28(2):64-68).

For additional information, contact T. Mori, Keio University, School of Medicine, Dept. Pediatrics, Shinjuku Ku, 35 Shinanomachi, Tokyo 1608582, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Pediatric Hematology Oncology is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3261, USA.

Keywords: Tokyo, Japan, Cancer Drugs, Genetics, Hematology, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Methotrexate Sodium, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase, Oncology, Pediatric, Polymorphism, Cancer Therapy, Toxicity, Reduced Folate Carrier 1.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.