Increased Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Adult Patients with GSTM1 Null Genetic Polymorphism

Genetic Insights Into Leukemia Susceptibility in the Arab Population: A Scoping Review

As per the Global Cancer Observatory, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region (which includes the Arabic countries) ranks highest for age-standardized mortality rate at 4 per 100,000, thus indicating a probable role of genetic associations. Identifying the genes associated with leukemia in the Arab population is crucial for effective preventive and treatment strategies. This scoping review aimed to determine the nature and extent of research available on the genes associated with the major types of leukemia among the Arab population. As per the scoping review guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PUBMED and Google Scholar for articles published before 01/10/2023 and focused on leukemia-related genes among the Arab population. In total 119 studies, focusing on genes associated with leukemia met the inclusion criteria. On reviewing these studies, 27 genes were found to be associated with ALL, 33 genes with AML, seven genes with CLL, and 14 genes with CML. The majority of these genes were associated with an increased risk for the disease. Notably, the 119 studies covered only nine out of the 22 Arab countries, with 56 studies carried out in Egypt, exhibiting an imbalance in the regional distribution of the research landscape. Thus, indicating the inadequacy of research on leukemia genetics in the Arab region in comparison to the Western studies. This finding highlights the need for extensive research in the Middle Eastern region to gain geographically heterogeneous genetic information about the Arab population. In conclusion, this scoping study highlights the genes associated with the major types of leukemia among the Arab population and also indicates the need for comprehensive and regionally balanced research on leukemia genetics in Middle Eastern countries. Addressing this gap is essential to provide robust genetic data that can be used for targeted interventions to improve leukemia outcomes in the Middle East. Increased research efforts in all Middle Eastern countries will contribute to a greater understanding of genetic predisposition and help develop effective prevention strategies and treatments tailored to this population.

IL-10 rs1800896 Polymorphism: A Risk Factor for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Purpose

Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene can increase susceptibility to tumor development. The current study aimed to explore the genotypic frequency of interleukin-10 (IL-10) rs1800896 polymorphism in newly diagnosed adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and validate whether this SNP is a risk factor for adult ALL.

Patients and Methods

This case–control study was based on a subset of newly diagnosed 154 adult patients with ALL recruited from the Radiation and Isotope Center in Khartoum (RICK) and 154 healthy controls from the same geographical area. Genomic DNA was used for the genotyping of rs1800896 polymorphism through allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.

Results

The genotypic frequencies of rs1800896 showed a statistically significant association of AG and AA genotypes with adult ALL (p<0.001). Combined genotypes AG+GG vs AA also showed a positive association of rs1800896 with adult ALL (OR=4.89). The allelic frequencies of G and A did not show any significant difference in adult patients with ALL compared with the control group. AG rs1800896 genotype showed an increased risk of B and T ALL (OR=2.51 and 4.70, respectively). Age at diagnosis, gender, and immunophenotype (B vs T ALL) did not exhibit any association of rs1800896 with ALL in this patient group.

Conclusion

rs1800896 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of ALL in adult patients irrespective of the age at diagnosis, gender, and immunophenotype of ALL.