Pharmacogenomic associations of cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetic candidate genes with event-free survival in intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Background: In vitro data suggest that the growth of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells is suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner by 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4HCY), the principal precursor to the cytotoxic metabolite of cyclophosphamide (CY). Various retrospective studies on the relationship between genes encoding proteins involved in the formation and elimination of 4HCY (i.e., 4HCY pharmacokinetics) and cyclophosphamide (CY) efficacy and toxicity have been conflicting.

Procedures: We evaluated germline pharmacogenetics in 262 patients with newly diagnosed intermediate-risk RMS who participated in one prospective Children's Oncology Group clinical trial, ARST0531. Patients were treated with either vincristine/actinomycin/cyclophosphamide (VAC) or VAC alternating with vincristine/irinotecan (VAC/VI). We analyzed the associations between event-free survival and 394 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 14 drug metabolizing enzymes or transporters involved in 4HCY pharmacokinetics.

Results: Eight SNPs were associated (p-value < .05 by univariate analysis) with 3-year event-free survival; no SNPs survived a false discovery rate < 0.05.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that a pharmacogenomic approach to therapy personalization of cyclophosphamide in intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma is not viable. Other methods to personalize therapy should be explored.