Is the MDR1 C3435T polymorphism responsible for oral mucositis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Our preliminary data suggest that children carrying the CT genotype are more prone to develop oral mucositis, which might mean that the heterozygous genotype leads to accumulation of more reactive oxygen species. Since a limited number of patients was investigated, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Together, these findings indicate that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol induces multiple perturbations in signaling pathways in STI571-treated Bcr/Abl(+) human leukemia cells that culminate in mitochondrial injury, caspase activation, and apoptosis. They also suggest that simultaneous disruption of survival signaling and cell cycle regulatory pathways may represent an effective strategy in Bcr/Abl(+) malignancies.