Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and glutathione S-tranferase gene polymorphisms in secondary mixed phenotype acute leukemia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Therapy-induced leukemia is a well-known clinical syndrome occurring as a late complication in patients treated with cytotoxic therapy. OBSERVATION: We herein present results of analysis of common gene polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes in a 10-year-old boy who developed very rare type of cancer, mixed phenotype acute leukemia, 6 years after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: Impairment in function of GST and MTHFR enzymes found in our patient may have contributed to the development of secondary mixed phenotype acute leukemia, although precise mechanism remains elusive.