Researchers have discovered that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are more likely to have the same variants in their DNA, associated with the risk of CLL development, in up to six genes, compared to people who do not have CLL. CLL is a type of leukaemia that is commonly found in adults and while CLL is generally controllable, it is an incurable disease. The researchers performed a genome-wide association study by using blood samples collected from CLL patients and non-CLL patients. With CLL patients in one group and non-CLL patients in another, the researchers looked at the differences of the genetic variants of the two groups. They found that CLL patients tended to have the variants in the six of out seven genes associated with the development of CLL more often than non-CLL patients. With these findings, the researchers hope that new treatments for CLL can be developed or maybe, even lead to the prevention of the disease.
Zhi Hao Chan (41837713)
Source:
Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420103734.htm
Image: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Chronic_lymphocytic_leukemia.jpg/190px-Chronic_lymphocytic_leukemia.jpg
