Correlation between methylation level of the promoter region and methotrexate metabolism in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To analyze the methylation level in the promoter region of in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients, and explore the relationship between methotrexate (MTX) drug metabolism and methylation. The methylation levels of the promoter region in 52 adult ALL patients who received high-dose MTX chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed in combination with clinical indicators and plasma MTX concentration. Methylation levels of 17 CpG units were differently correlated with clinical parameters of ALL patients including gender, age, immunophenotype and Philadelphia chromosome status. Patients with delayed MTX drug excretion had higher methylation levels in the promoter region. The methylation may affect the MTX plasma level and adverse reactions, which may predict patients at risk of adverse reactions after high-dose MTX therapy.