NUDT15 Polymorphisms and Individualization of Thiopurine Therapy in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Institution:
St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalResearcher(s):
Takaya Moriyama, MD/PhDGrant Type:
Young Investigator GrantsYear Awarded:
2018Type of Childhood Cancer:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)Project Description:
Project Goal
The major goal of this proposal is to develop pharmacogenetically-guided mercaptopurine (MP) dosing algorithm to optimize thiopurine therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I hypothesize that we can rationally adjust thiopurine dosage according to variants in the NUDT15 gene and tailor their exposure to thiopurine active metabolites to the most efficient levels regardless of genotypes, similar to the principle of thiopurine S-methyltransferase-guided (TPMT) dose modification. I am confident that this research plan is an indispensable step to develop a genotype-guided MP dosing algorithm and eventually improves treatment outcome of pediatric ALL.
