Two genes may be responsible for causing the most common form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – a blood cancer that most often strikes young children – according to a new study published in the journal Blood.
Researchers at the University of Western Ontario have identified two genes – PU.1 and Spi-B – that could play a central role in the development of B cell ALL, the most common form of the cancer.
Working with genetically-modified mice, they found that a mutation of either gene individually was not linked to an increased risk of ALL. When both genes were mutated, however, 100 percent of the mice developed B cell ALL.
"You can think of PU.1 and Spi-B proteins as brakes on a car. If the main brake (PU.1) fails, you still have the emergency brake (Spi-B). However, if both sets of brakes fail, the car speeds out of control," explained lead researcher Rodney DeKoter. "And uncontrolled cell division is an important cause of leukemia."
The researchers hope that this new information may help with the development of improved, less toxic treatments for childhood leukemia.