Inherited Genetic Variants Associated With Glucocorticoid Sensitivity In Leukaemia Cells

Identification of genetic variants associated with glucocorticoids (GC) sensitivity of leukaemia cells may provide insight into potential drug targets and tailored therapy. In the present study, within 72 leukaemic cell lines derived from Japanese patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), we conducted genome-wide genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and attempted to identify genetic variants associated with GC sensitivity andNR3C1(GC receptor) gene expression. IC50 measures for prednisolone (Pred) and dexamethasone (Dex) were available using an alamarBlue cell viability assay. IC50 values of Pred showed the strongest association with rs904419 (P = 4.34 x 10(-8)), located between theFRMD4BandMITFgenes. The median IC50 values of prednisolone for cell lines with rs904419 AA (n = 13), AG (n = 31) and GG (n = 28) genotypes were 0.089, 0.139 and 297 mu mol/L, respectively. For dexamethasone sensitivity, suggestive association was observed for SNP rs2306888 (P = 1.43 x 10(-6)), a synonymous SNP of theTGFBR3gene. ForNR3C1gene expression, suggestive association was observed for SNP rs11982167 (P = 6.44 x 10(-8)), located in thePLEKHA8gene. These genetic variants may affect GC sensitivity of ALL cells and may give rise to opportunities in personalized medicine for effective and safe chemotherapy in ALL patients.