First Mutations Leading to Leukemia Identified
The first mutations leading to leukemia in the mother’s womb have been identified, according to researchers who sequenced the entire genomes of identical twins with the disease.
The experts conducted their study at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
After examining two pairs of identical twins, the investigators discovered indicators of the emergence of leukemia in kids. These early genetic origins of childhood leukemia could help in the development of new treatments because they represent mutations that exist in every single cancer cell, which plays a critical part in the development of the disease.
Leukemia is the most prevalent cancer among children. One third of young cancer victims struggle with the disease, which kills 100 kids each year in the UK.
Leukemia generally develops in identical twin children at the same time, indicating shared genetic or environmental factors.