BACKGROUND

Abnormal expression of transporter genes has been associated with treatment failure in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression pattern of and genes in Iranian pediatric patients with ALL relapse and determine the potential predictive value of determining ALL relapse from expression.

METHODS

Patients with ALL were divided into two separate groups, either the case group with relapsed ALL or the control group in which ALL patients have been in progression-free survival for at least 3 years A total of thirty-nine participants (23 with relapsed ALL; 16 controls) were enrolled over 26 months. To determine the levels of and transporter gene expression RT-PCR was used. Cumulative doses of the chemotherapy drugs, VCR, DNR and L-ASP, were calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

Our findings showed elevated expression of and decreased expression of and to be associated with an increased risk of ALL relapse. The mean-fold expression of was significantly increased in the ALL relapse group. Additionally, the expression pattern of the ABCC transporter genes was associated with high doses of three chemotherapy drugs, VCR, DNR and L-ASP.

CONCLUSION

Evaluating the expression pattern of transporter genes may be a potential biomarker for predicting the occurrence of ALL relapse in Iranian pediatric patients and improve cancer prognosis.