Study reveals genetic links to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2008
A study has identified a number of genetic variations that play a role in the development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the most common form of leukaemia in the Western world.
The study, which appears in the latest issue of Nature Genetics, was funded by the charity Leukaemia Research and Cancer Research UK.
Scientists have long believed that inherited factors may increase a person's susceptibility to CLL as close relatives of people with CLL - such as siblings, parents or children - have a seven-fold higher risk of developing the disease than the general population.
This is an intriguing study which presents a major leap forward in our understanding of the causes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
- Professor John Gribben, Cancer Research UK clinical expert, Barts and the London School of Medicine
However, unlike breast cancer, in which a single gene fault greatly increases a person's risk, no one gene exists for CLL. The latest study from scientists based at the Institute of Cancer Research is the first to prove a genetic basis for the disease.
The team have shown that part of the inherited susceptibility to developing CLL can be explained by a number of low-risk genes, of which they have now identified six.
According to Professor Richard Houlston who led the study, the research provides "strong evidence" that some cases of CLL are caused "by a combination of different genetic variations which are inherited".
"Each of these variations by itself has a very small effect on the risk of developing CLL, but when all of them are present there is a significantly increased risk of leukaemia," he explained.
"Now that we have this evidence we can carry out studies to determine exactly how the different genes contribute to this risk."
Dr David Grant, scientific director of Leukaemia Research, added: "This finding is very exciting as it carries the possibility of improving treatments for individuals who we know are at risk of developing this leukaemia.
"Clinical applications are still a little while away but this is a very important step forward in understanding the basis of this common leukaemia."
Professor John Gribben, a Cancer Research UK clinical expert at Barts and the London School of Medicine, noted that previous attempts to identify a gene responsible for CLL have failed.
He said: "This is an intriguing study which presents a major leap forward in our understanding of the causes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) - and potentially other forms of cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
"But it's early days and we can't yet use this knowledge to screen groups of patients with CLL. It will also be a long time before scientists can use this information to develop new treatments for the disease."
Professor Gribben continued: "Cancer Research UK is delighted that the investment by us and other groups in genome wide scanning technology is paying off and enabling these important findings to be made.
"We hope in the long term they will be able help more people at increased risk of developing CLL, through the development of tailored screening and treatment programmes."
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