The results provide better treatment options for children with leukemia -
A research team led by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) scientists have made a key finding which should open improving treatment options for children with leukemia.
They found that two in three cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer of white blood cells, can be caused by mutations in one of two key genes found in children. These genes, however, are more common in people with Down syndrome.
This means that scientists can design better treatment protocols, depending on the mutated gene is carried by the patient. These treatments may include lower doses of anticancer drugs thus leading to less side effects.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common cancer in children, with 50 to 100 children diagnosed annually in Singapore. This gene discovery is good news for those with Down syndrome and 20 percent of children who do not respond well to standard therapy.
Children with Down syndrome have 20 to 50 times greater risk of developing blood cancer. They are also likely to suffer a relapse and have a higher risk of dying from side effects of the therapy.
The discovery, made by an international team led by Professor Dean Nizetic Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine NTU, was published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications last week.
expert team of Prof. Nizetic in aging and Down syndrome have collaborated with researchers at Queen Mary University in London and the Universities of Geneva and Padua on this study.
"by analyzing the DNA sequence of samples at different stages of the disease patients, we identified mutations in two genes that transform normal blood cells into cancer cells," said Professor Nizetic, lead author of the study.
research team found that two genes (RAS and JAK) does mutate together, making them ideal biomarkers.
"this could benefit all children affected by the disease as clinicians would be able to offer appropriate treatment, more specific and less toxic, reducing side effects and even a reduction in deaths related side-effects' added Professor Nizetic.
team of Prof. Nizetic at LKCMedicine focuses on Down syndrome for better understanding of the condition, which has many complex mysteries. In people with Down syndrome, their cells show signs of accelerated aging and damage of accumulated DNA. Paradoxically, they appear to be protected against the most common cancers of solid tissues in adulthood.
"Some people with Down syndrome may be protected against age-related diseases such as dementia, atherosclerosis and type II diabetes, despite the increased risk factors," said Professor Nizetic.
"Examine those cells with Down syndrome could not only help to lead longer and healthier lives, but also provide important clues in understanding general mechanisms of aging, Alzheimer ' Alzheimer's, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and a number of other common conditions, which so far has not been sufficiently explored. "
Moving forward, the 'NTU research team will conduct more studies on the results of two key genes. This is to see how well they could affect normal children and children with Down syndrome, who suffer from this form of leukemia.
Down Syndrome Association (Singapore) welcomed the discovery
Dr Balbir Singh, advisor and founding president of Down Syndrome Association (Singapore), hope these findings will lead to "better treatment less toxic to all children affected by this disease, "and welcomed the new interest in research in Down syndrome
" associations and organizations of parents and carers for people with Down syndrome are very interested in participating in research that could improve the prospects for improving their health, quality of life and inclusion in society, "said Dr. Singh.
"It makes people with Down syndrome twice as proud, and feel important and included if their study may help to better understand and combat diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular accident, heart attack and cancer, for all people. The Down Syndrome Association (Singapore) welcomes more research in this direction. "
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