Genetic variants of GSTT1 and GSTM1 and their potential role in acute myeloid leukemia susceptibility: Evidence from a study in the Sudanese population

Introduction: Leukaemias in general population result from interaction between genetic and environmental factors and time. The interplay of xenobiotics exposure, endogenous physiology, and genetic variability of multiple loci may facilitate knowledge about leukaemia etiology and the identification of individuals who are at increased risk of developing leukaemias. Objectives: This is hospital based case control study aimed to determine the genetics polymorphism of GSTT1 and GSTM1 as risk factor to develop acute myeloid leukemia by multiplex PCR in National Cancer Institute, Gezira state, Sudan. Methods:  The study included 20 diagnosed  pediatric patients of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 20 healthy volunteers  who were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria .2.5 ml of blood was collected in EDTA tubes, then the complete blood count (CBC) was done by automated hematology analyzer and GST gene, GSTM1 and GSTT1 variants were genotyped by multiplex PCR,.  Results: The study results showed the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion genotype was 20% and 15%, respectively in AML patient. No statistical significant difference was found with GSTT1 deletion genotype frequency in AML patients as compared to controls, the frequencies of the GSTM1 null genotypes between AML patients and controls and GSTT1 null genotypes frequency in AML patients as compared to controls (value 0.202, 0.189 and 0.582) retrospectively .Also there was no statistical significant among different age groups and genders (p.value0.269 and 0.704) retrospectively. The CBC parameters show highly statistical significant difference between the cases and controls (p.value 0.00) except the WBCs show no statistical significant difference between cases and control (p.value 0. 064). Conclusion: GSTT1 and GSTM1 were not consider as risk factor for AML.