A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in SLC7A5 Was Associated With Clinical Response in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Background/Aim: SLC7A5 is recognized as the major mediator of melphalan uptake into multiple myeloma (MM) cells; however, its contribution to the inter-patient variability of melphalan efficacy and toxicity is yet to be well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4240803 in SLC7A5 on the gene expression, ex vivo sensitivity to melphalan, and clinical outcomes in MM patients who were undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation with high-dose melphalan. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 108 MM patients prior to melphalan therapy. Clinical data were also collected from these patients following melphalan therapy. Results: rs4240803 was associated with elevated expression of SLC7A5 mRNA, higher ex vivo sensitivity to melphalan in PBMCs, and positive 90-day response in these patients (p=0.047, 0.10, 0.049, respectively). Conclusion: rs4240803 impacted the expression of SLC7A5, thus contributing to the clinical response of MM patients to melphalan therapy.