Methotrexate polyglutamate synthesis in lymphoblasts from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract

Lymphoblasts obtained from children at the time of diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia accumulated predominantly long-chain methotrexate polyglutamates containing 4-6 glutamyl residues when incubated with methotrexate in vitro. While methotrexate polyglutamates of these chain lengths are formed in other cells, they constitute only a minor proportion of polyglutamates in them. This extensive accumulation of long-chain methotrexate polyglutamates in lymphoblasts may explain in part the efficacy of methotrexate in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

• Authors: V M Whitehead, D S Rosenblatt, M J Vuchich, D Beaulieu
• Journal: Developmental pharmacology and therapeutics (Dev Pharmacol Ther) Vol. 10 Issue 6 Pg. 443-8 ( 1987) ISSN: 0379-8305 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 2445535 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Peptides
• Polyglutamic Acid
• methotrexate polyglutamate
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Adolescent
• Bone Marrow Examination
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Leukemia, Lymphoid (metabolism)
• Lymphocytes (metabolism)
• Male
• Methotrexate (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
• Peptides (metabolism)
• Polyglutamic Acid (analogs & derivatives, metabolism)