A study looking at the genetics of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

The study team identified 10 changes in genes that might increase the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

 

This study was part of a meta analysis  to identify new gene changes that might increase the risk of CLL. There were 4 studies in the meta analysis. The total number of people in the studies were: 

The gene changes researchers looked for are called single nucleotide polymorphisms  (SNPs).

 

After identifying promising SNPs, the team repeated the process to check that the results could be used for everyone and were reliable. This is called a replication study. In this study there were:

Previously 13 SNPs have been identified as being linked to the risk of CLL. 

 

In this study the team have identified a further 10 SNPs that might increase the risk of CLL. 

 

The place where 5 of these SNPs are located on the DNA suggest that they could be involved with the programmed death (apoptosis ) of CLL cells. 

 

This study adds support to the importance of gene changes have in the development of CLL. Further studies are needed to find out:

We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed ) and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves