Association between NUDT15 rs116855232T/C Genetic Polymorphism and
Mercaptopurine Toxicity in Syrian Children with Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia
Abstract
Purpose: NUDT15 genetic polymorphism is known to be associated with
frequent hematopoietic toxicities during acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(ALL) mercaptopurine therapy. The aim of this study is to test this
association in a group of Syrian children with ALL, in addition to
quantify the prevalence of the corresponding SNP in patient population.
Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study that included all
children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia reaching at least 6 months of
maintenance therapy between January 2018 and May 2020 at two recruitment
sites in Damascus, Syria. The NUDT15 rs116855232 genetic polymorphism
was performed and linked to four clinical factors: mercaptopurine dose
intensity, early onset leukopenia, hepatotoxicity and therapy
interruption. Results: A total of 92 patients were enrolled (63.04%
low-risk, 25% intermediate-risk and 11.96% high-risk). The TC genotype
was found in 5 patients (5.4%) and the TT genotype was found in 1
patient (1.08%), with the following allele frequency: C=0.961 and
T=0.038. The mercaptopurine dose intensity was 81.98%, 65.85% and
4.99% for the genotypes CC, TC and TT respectively (P: 0.0174). A
significant association was found between early onset neutropenia and
NUDT15 polymorphism (TC or TT), OR: 6.82 (95% CI: 1.22-38.11, P:
0.043). No association was found between NUDT15 polymorphism and therapy
interruption or hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: Our study confirms that
NUDT15 rs116855232 polymorphism is associated with mercaptopurine
hematopoietic toxicity but not with hepatotoxicity or therapy
interruption in a population of Syrian children with ALL. The incidence
seems to be higher than neighboring countries.