MTX-induced white matter changes are associated with polymorphisms of methionine metabolism

Neurology. 2005 Mar 8;64(5):912-3. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000152840.26156.74.

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate antagonist inhibiting nucleic acid and methionine synthesis. Methionine is necessary for CNS myelination. In 42 patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) treated with a systemic and intraventricular high-dose MTX-based polychemotherapy, the presence of a risk haplotype defined by polymorphisms influencing methionine metabolism referred a relative risk for CNS white matter changes of 4.7 (p = 0.001). The authors conclude that methionine metabolism influences MTX neurotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Demyelinating Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / genetics
  • Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology
  • Drug Resistance / genetics
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Genetic Testing
  • Haplotypes
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Methionine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Methionine / metabolism*
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin Sheath / drug effects
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / drug effects
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / metabolism
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / pathology
  • Neurotoxins / administration & dosage
  • Neurotoxins / adverse effects
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Risk Factors
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / metabolism

Substances

  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Neurotoxins
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • Folic Acid
  • Methionine
  • Methotrexate