Introduction
L-asparaginase is a vital component for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, hypersensitivity reactions and hepatotoxicity hinder its anti-neoplastic efficacy. Previous reports indicated that genetic variants in
CNOT3, GRIA1
, and
NFATC2
genes might be associated with hypersensitivity reactions and
PNPLA3
with liver function.
Objective
In this study, it was investigated whether this association also exists in a pediatric ALL cohort from Ethiopia.
Methods
Three variants
GRIA1
rs4958351,
CNOT3
rs73062673, and
NFATC2
rs6021191 were genotyped in a cohort of 160 patients. Association analysis to investigate the association with hypersensitivity reactions was performed using logistic regression analyses. Besides these variants, a variant in
PNPLA3
(rs738409) was genotyped to assess the association with liver function.
Results
Genotype frequencies of
GRIA1
rs4958351,
CNOT3
rs73062673, and
NFATC2
rs6021191 were higher/lower than previously reported. One hundred and forty-four patients were included in the association analysis of which, 18 (12.5%) developed L-ASP hypersensitivity. Though the frequency of hypersensitivity was higher in patients that carried the risk alleles of the three investigated genes, no statistically significant differences were observed. Association analysis between
PNPLA3
rs738409 and liver function could not be investigated due to a lack of clinical information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, none of the tested genes did predict L-asparaginase hypersensitivity in an Ethiopian pediatric ALL patients.