OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation of GSTM1 polymorphism in leukemia patients with therapeutic efficacy and the main biological characteristics.

METHODSThe GSTM1 genotypes were detected by nested PCR; the remission rate after 1 course of treatment and main biological characteristics at occurrence of leukemia were compared between AL patients with different GSTM1 genotypes, and their relation was analyzed.

RESULTSThe remission rate and partial remission rate after 1 course of treatment in patients with GSTM1-undeleted genotype were no significantly different from those in patients with GSTM1 null genotype (χ=0.290, P>0.05). The stratification analysis showed that GSTM1 null genotype was not related with age, sex, WBC count, Hb level, plt count at initial diagnosis and spleen enlargenent or no(P>0.05). The comparison of AML and ALL with GSTM1 null genotype by Log-rank showed that the survival rate was no statistically different between AML and ALL patients(χ=2.043, P>0.05), while the LDH level in serum of patients with GSTM1-undeleted genotype at initial diagnosis was statistically different from that in patients with GSTM1 null genotype (P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe GSTM1 genotype does not relate with remission and partial remission rates after 1 course treatment of AL patients, but relates with LDH level. GSTM1 null genotype deletion may play a role in risk of leukemia.