Genetic Triggers Found For Childhood Leukemia
British scientists have found that there are certain genetic flaws that increase the risk of developing the most common form of childhood leukemia.
The Institute of Cancer Research team reported three variants were discovered that increase the risk of leukemia by between 30 and 60 percent.
However, they emphasized that other factors such as childhood infections, may also come into play.
The research has provided pieces to the puzzle that could improve care, according to the research published in the journal Nature Genetics.
Of all the childhood cancers, leukemia is by far the most common, with around 500 new cases each year in the UK, and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) accounts for approximately 85% of these.
While there is no one reason why a child develops the disease, scientists have identified a combination of factors, such as the possibility that some inherited genetic disposition is involved in some cases.
Other research has indicated a blood cell change that happens in the womb along with other mutations possibly caused by common childhood infections could be involved.
The most recent research utilizes technology that makes it possible for the whole DNA of leukemia patients to be checked for common features that are not present in healthy children.
Though the overall risk was still small, the scientists did observe that the presence of each of the three variants was indeed linked to a rise in the risk of the disease.
Heading the study, Professor Richard Houlston said, "These findings provide the first evidence that genetic make-up plays a major role in the risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and insight into how the disease develops."
His colleague, professor Mel Greaves, said, "The new results should not be taken by parents or the public at large to mean that children develop leukemia because of an accident of inheritance.”
"Genetic risk factors are just one component of cause – finding the triggering exposures still remains a focus of intense effort."
The project was partly funded by the charity Leukemia Research, which commented that the research had revealed "important clues" which could ultimately lead to "less punishing" treatments for children.
—
On the Net: