Story Summary: HealthTerra med Alliance News In Kids, Genes May Affect Leukemia Treatment2009-11-04 12:22:06 – Finding could help tailor therapy regimen to individuals, experts sayTerra med Alliance News : By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter. Our findings imply that the DNA patients inherit from their parents also explains why some patients respond to chemotherapy better than others, she said. For the study, Rellings team studied genetic variations in 487 children with lymphoblastic leukemia. A high proportion of the gene variations were related to levels of the chemotherapy in blood and in leukemia cells; some were related to leukemia cell biology, Relling said. An equal number, 21, were also associated with blood-related relapse and with the performance of antileukemic drugs. 7 percent of the SNPs were linked to early response, relapse risk or the performance of antileukemic drugs, the researchers found. Some of the gene variation is likely to cause differences among patients in how quickly their bodies rid themselves of the chemotherapy, and some of the variations are likely to penetrate through to the leukemia cells and have an influence on the inherent sensitivity of the leukemia cells to chemotherapy, Relling said. Knowing the genetics of patients and knowing the genetics of their tumors are both important in designing effective treatments, she explained. But knowing the genetic makeup of people and their disease, he said, might make it possible to make treatment less toxic by using lower doses for a shorter time. More informationThe U. S. National Cancer Institute has more on childhood leukemia. Terramed Alliance is a non-profit organization in the battle against leukemia helps children living with cancer and their families. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you….Read the Full Story

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