Monday 4 December 2000
British scientists today* provide a key insight into childhood leukaemia. Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research in London have discovered that a non-inherited gene abnormality commonly found in childhood leukaemia is also present in around one per cent of healthy newborn babies. This is 100 times the incidence of leukaemia itself.
Professor Mel Greaves, Director of the Leukaemia Research Fund Centre, and his team at The Institute, found that six babies of 530 screened had a 'leukaemic' gene called TEL-AML1 in their blood. Their previous research had shown that in those children who already have leukaemia the abnormality arises before birth, during development of the foetus, but then takes some three or four years on average to manifest as leukaemia.
The team's work on identical twins had previously suggested the possibility that not all babies developing the genetic abnormality go on to develop leukaemia - and this new study provides direct evidence for this possibility. However, only one in 100 babies with the abnormal TEL-AML gene will eventually develop the disease. This works out as one baby in 10, 000 going on to develop leukaemia.
"This result is in some ways a surprise," comments Professor Greaves. "Clearly the genetic 'mistake' that starts leukaemia in the womb occurs more commonly than we had anticipated. It raises the obvious question of what may be causing this error in the developing foetus. But more importantly for us, it vindicates our view that a 'double whammy' is needed for leukaemia and that some second event, occurring at a one per cent rate in these children after birth, is critical for full-blown leukaemia."
Professor Greaves has proposed that this essential post-natal event involves an abnormal response to infection in otherwise healthy children. This idea forms one of the key causal hypotheses currently being scrutinised by the UK National Children's Cancer Study, along with other possible causes such as radiation and chemicals.
The importance of this work lies in the potential for leukaemia prevention. "It's unlikely we can prevent the pre-natal event," says Professor Greaves, "but some form of vaccination in infancy might well prevent leukaemia occurring. That's our goal."
Dr David Grant, Leukaemia Research Fund Scientific Director, said the findings showed how important understanding the fundamental biology of leukaemia is to its ultimate prevention and cure. "This work has major implications for our understanding of the natural history of childhood leukaemia," said Dr Grant. "We need to identify the post-natal event which turns the possible into the probable and then turn that into an effective preventive strategy."
Dr Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, commented: 'This is an important step forward in understanding leukaemia and its causes, taking us a lot nearer to finding ways of protecting children against the disease. I am delighted that The Institute of Cancer Research is at the forefront of these exciting developments."
*American Society of Hematology, Seattle on Monday
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Trehearne, Leukaemia Research Fund, 020 7269 9068 (work).
For The Institute of Cancer Research see contact details below.
Notes to editors
- Leukaemia Research Fund is the only national UK charity devoted exclusively to research into the leukaemias, Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas, myeloma, myelodysplasia, the myeloproliferative disorders and aplastic anaemia in children and adults.
- The Institute of Cancer Research was established in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. It works in a unique partnership with the Royal Marsden NHS Trust, forming the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. This relationship enables us to stay in close daily contact with those on the frontline in the fight against cancer - the clinicians, the carers and most importantly, the patients.
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