Gene Found To Be Linked To Leukemia Relapse In Kids

Washington (dbTechno) - Researchers have come out and stated that they have discovered a gene that is linked to the relapse of leukemia in children.

Researchers were led by Dr. James Downing of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee as they looked into various genes that may play a role in the relapse of leukemia in children.

What they have found is that kids who have acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL also have a certain gene abnormality.

The abnormality is seen in the gene known as IKZF1, and makes them more likely to have a relapse of the disease.

Those who have this particular gene abnormality are three times more likely to have a relapse compared to those who do not.

The hope is that researchers will be able to take these findings and apply them to the disease in that they will be able to help predict which children are at highest risk for the relapse.

Children who would test positive for this gene abnormality could receive better and more intense treatment.

The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.