Role of glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) genes in the development and progress of chronic myeloid leukemia and in the formation of response to imatinib therapy.

The effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletion ("zero") polymorphisms on the risk of chronic myeloid leukemia development and progress and on response to imatinib monotherapy were studied in the representatives of the Russian nationality in the Vyatka region of Russia. Homozygotic carriership of GSTT1 "zero" allele was associated with a 3.66 times higher risk of chronic myeloid leukemia development in residents of the Vyatka region (OR=3.66, 95% CI=2.12-6.30; p<0.0001). Combinations of the "zero" GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were risk factors indicating the probable disease progress and failure of high cytogenetic response after 12 months of imatinib therapy (400 mg daily).