Scientists have identified a molecule, TGF, produced by the body in response to common infections that stimulates development of childhood leukaemia.
It triggers multiplication of pre-cancerous stem cells at the expense of healthy counterparts.
The researchers had already identified a genetic mutation – a fusion of two genes – occurring in the womb that creates pre-leukaemic cells. These cells then grow in the bone marrow, effectively acting as a silent time bomb that can stay in the body for up to 15 years.
Evidence suggests the mutation may be present in as many as one in 100 newborn babies, but only about one in 100 of these children then go on to develop leukaemia. This suggests that the cells will only complete the transformation to fully-fledged cancer cells if they exposed to an independent trigger.
This latest study suggests production of TGF in response to an infection could be that trigger.
Source: BBC News, 1 April 2009
Chapter: Cancer :: 14 April 2009
