We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Immune System Genes Linked to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Feb 2017
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an indolent B-cell malignancy that has a strong genetic component, as evidenced by the eightfold increased risk seen in relatives of CLL patients.

The risk of developing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been linked to the inheritance of nine regions of DNA, five of which help white blood cells fight disease.

An international team, co-led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research perform a meta-analysis of six genome-wide association studies, imputed using a merged reference panel of 1,000 Genomes and UK10K data, totaling 6,200 cases and 17,598 controls after replication. More...
They analyzed genome-wide association data from populations of European ancestry from Europe, North America and Australia, identifying nine new risk loci.

The fidelity of imputation as assessed by the concordance between imputed and directly genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was examined in a subset of samples. Replication genotyping of UK samples was performed using competitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR KASPar) chemistry. Replication genotyping of Mayo samples was performed using Sequenom MassARRAY.

The team found that one of the new variants resides in the gene B-cell scaffold protein with ankyrin repeats 1 (BANK1), only ever activated in a type of white blood cell called B cells, and linked to the autoimmune disease lupus. Another was found in the gene Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 7A (ZBTB7A), which regulates B cells numbers, so errors in this gene could lead to too many B cells in the bloodstream and bone marrow. A third was found in a region of chromosome 22, which has been linked with the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Richard Houlston, MD, PhD, a Professor of Molecular and Population Genetics and co-leader of the study, said, “We knew people were more likely to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia if someone in their family had suffered from the disease, but our new study takes a big step towards explaining the underlying genetics. CLL is essentially a disease of the immune system, and it's fascinating that so many of the new genetic variants we have uncovered seem to directly affect the behavior of white blood cells and their ability to fight disease.” The study was published on February 6, 2017, in the journal Nature Communications.


New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Urine Chemistry Control
Dropper Urine Chemistry Control
New
Hemodynamic System Monitor
OptoMonitor
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: New diagnostics could predict a woman’s risk of a common sexually transmitted infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Markers Could Predict Risk of Severe Chlamydia Infection

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other reproductive complications when it spreads to the upper genital tract.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.