TY - JOUR
T1 - Methotrexate-induced alterations in beta-oxidation correlate with cognitive abilities in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
AU - Moore, Ida M.
AU - Miketova, Petra
AU - Hockenberry, Marilyn
AU - Krull, Kevin
AU - Pasvogel, Alice
AU - Carey, Marissa
AU - Kaemingk, Kris
PY - 2008/4
Y1 - 2008/4
N2 - Treatment advances, including central nervous system (CNS) treatment with methotrexate, have led to significant gains in disease-free survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, methotrexate has been associated with neurological problems such as declines in cognitive and academic abilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate methotrexate-induced changes in beta-oxidation in children with ALL receiving methotrexate for CNS treatment. Specific aims were to investigate effects of methotrexate on beta-oxidation of the two most prevalent fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and correlate the ratio of monounsaturation to saturation of these fatty acids with cognitive and academic abilities. The sample included 12 females and 14 males with low-risk (n = 7), standard-risk ( n = 13), or high-risk (n = 6) ALL. Mean age at diagnosis was 94.1 months (SD = 34.4). CSF samples were obtained in conjunction with diagnostic lumbar punctures; subsequent samples were obtained prior to intrathecal methotrexate administration during the induction, consolidation, and continuation phases of treatment. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Results showed a significant increase in the ratio of monounsaturation to saturation of both fatty acids, which was greatest during the most intensive phase of treatment. Ratios of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids were negatively correlated with full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, and math calculations. Findings suggest that methotrexate alters beta-oxidation and that the resulting increase in fatty acid monounsaturation is related to declines in some domains of cognitive ability.
AB - Treatment advances, including central nervous system (CNS) treatment with methotrexate, have led to significant gains in disease-free survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, methotrexate has been associated with neurological problems such as declines in cognitive and academic abilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate methotrexate-induced changes in beta-oxidation in children with ALL receiving methotrexate for CNS treatment. Specific aims were to investigate effects of methotrexate on beta-oxidation of the two most prevalent fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and correlate the ratio of monounsaturation to saturation of these fatty acids with cognitive and academic abilities. The sample included 12 females and 14 males with low-risk (n = 7), standard-risk ( n = 13), or high-risk (n = 6) ALL. Mean age at diagnosis was 94.1 months (SD = 34.4). CSF samples were obtained in conjunction with diagnostic lumbar punctures; subsequent samples were obtained prior to intrathecal methotrexate administration during the induction, consolidation, and continuation phases of treatment. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. Results showed a significant increase in the ratio of monounsaturation to saturation of both fatty acids, which was greatest during the most intensive phase of treatment. Ratios of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids were negatively correlated with full-scale IQ, verbal IQ, and math calculations. Findings suggest that methotrexate alters beta-oxidation and that the resulting increase in fatty acid monounsaturation is related to declines in some domains of cognitive ability.
KW - Beta-oxidation
KW - Childhood leukemia
KW - Cognitive and academic abilities
KW - Methotrexate
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U2 - 10.1177/1099800407313268
DO - 10.1177/1099800407313268
M3 - Article
C2 - 18398226
AN - SCOPUS:40249086877
SN - 1099-8004
VL - 9
SP - 311
EP - 319
JO - Biological Research For Nursing
JF - Biological Research For Nursing
IS - 4
ER -