Science / Medicine : Gene Loss, Leukemia Linked

Loss of genes that make interferon, a natural disease-fighting substance, has been linked with development of a form of leukemia, researchers said. The researchers speculate that the interferon genes may act as regulators that stop the body’s cells from becoming cancerous.

Researchers from the University of Chicago found an association between loss of the genes and development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer that is the most common form of childhood leukemia.

They tested 62 patients with this kind of leukemia and found that 29% of them lacked the interferon genes. Their work, directed by Dr. Manuel O. Diaz, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It adds to the growing list of cancers that have been associated with the presence or absence of particular genes.

Interferon plays a variety of roles in regulating the body’s immune defenses and controlling cell growth.