Lack of FLT۳-TKD۸۳۵ gene mutation in toxicity of sulfur mustard in Iranian veterans

Objective(s):Sulfur mustard (SM) was used by the Iraqi army against the Iranian troops in the Iran-Iraq war from ۱۹۸۳–۱۹۸۸. This chemical gas affects different organs including the skin, lungs and the hematopoietic system. Any exposure to SM increases the risk of chromosomal breaking, hyperdiploidy and hypodiploidy. Studies have shown that the risk for acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia increases in veterans exposed to SM. FLT۳ mutations including ITD and TKD mutations had been observed in some cases of leukemia. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the frequency of FLT۳-TKD۸۳۵ mutations in the veterans exposed to SM agent. Materials and Methods: We studied ۴۲ patients who were exposed to SM during the war in Khorasan Razavi province, Mashhad, Iran in ۲۰۱۲. As control group, ۳۰ healthy males were selected from first-degree relatives of the patients. For assessment of TKD۸۳۵ mutation, DNA was extracted and RFLP-PCR was performed. Results: Analysis of RFLP-PCR data showed no FLT-۳ TKD mutation in any of the patients. Conclusion: Although contact with SM can increase the risk of malignancy especially hematologic neoplasms, results of the study show that another mechanism of leukemogenesis, other than FLT۳-TKD mutation, may be the reason for increased risk of leukemia in SM toxicity.

Keywords:

FLT۳-TKD۸۳۵ mutation , Iran , Leukemia , Sulfur mustard