Leukemia is caused by genes

Three mutant groups of genes cause acute myeloid leukemia, a form of leukemia, that has been discovered by scientists.

Illustration of red blood cells (red) and white blood cells (white) in arteries. In those
People with acute myelogenous leukemia, the number of premature white blood cells increased sharply
strong, beyond the control of the body. Photo: Nature.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a blood malignant disease, which occurs when the bone marrow that produces too many young white blood cells is not differentiated or poorly differentiated. The strong proliferation of leukocytes causes an imbalance in the ratio between white blood cells and erythrocytes. Premature white blood cells increased while red blood cells decreased.

In leukocytes, the body is responsible for fighting against bacteria and foreign proteins from entering the body, creating the body's immunity to many viral and bacterial diseases. The function of red blood cells is to bring oxygen molecules to the body's cells and tissues.

Because premature white blood cells are not fully developed, they cannot resist the penetration of foreign agents from outside the body. But they displace red blood cells so the amount of oxygen that red blood cells carry to the tissues decreases. Patients can die within a few weeks if not treated effectively.

The BBC said that the scientists of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute - a genetic and genetic research facility in the UK - discovered mutations in a gene called Npm1 are the main cause of acute myeloid leukemia. After mutating the Npm1 gene in mice, they found that one-third of their numbers were infected. Mutations in the gene Npm1 increase the ability to regenerate in blood cells - a sign of cancer.

In addition, the team found two other gene mutations in the gene Npm1, in which a mutation affects the division and growth of blood cells, while another mutation changes the environment around the cell. blood.

Dr. George Vassiliou, hematologist of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said that the new discovery will help scientists build new drugs to treat acute myeloid leukemia.

" New drugs will prevent three types of mutations in the gene Npm1, so the treatment for acute myeloid leukemia will become more effective ," Vassiliou said.