Association of Multidrug Resistance Gene-1 (MDR1 C1236T) Polymorphism with the Risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in a Moroccan Population

The human multidrug resistance MDR1 gene plays a crucial role in the absorption, transport, metabolism and elimination of harmful compounds. An impaired metabolism of these compounds related to genetic polymorphism may cause cancer such as acute myeloid leukemia AML. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the relationship between C1236T polymorphism and the risk of AML development in a sample of Moroccan population. METHODS: The present case-control study included 131 AML patients and 136 healthy controls. The MDR1 C1236T polymorphism was identified by PCR-RFLP method. Meta-analysis was performed to discuss our results. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, MetaGenyo and MedCalc. RESULTS: A positive association was found between the 1236TT mutant genotype and the risk of AML (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.02-5.57, p= 0.04) compared to the wild type 1236CC. In addition, the recessive model revealed that carriers of 1236TT mutant genotype were more exposed to develop AML when compared to the combined 1236CC/CT genotype (OR: 2.27, CI: 1.01–5.05, p=0.04). The clinical parameters of AML showed no significant association. Meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant association between this polymorphism and AML susceptibility. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the MDR1C1236T polymorphism appears to be associated with the risk of AML. Further studies, including a large sample size, are needed to confirm these findings.