News
Childhood Leukaemia Might Be Preventable
One of the UK’s leading cancer scientists has suggested that most cases of childhood leukaemia are likely to be preventable and might be brought on by common infections such as flu.
The breakthrough could revolutionise treatment of the disease.
According to Professor Mel Greaves of the Institute of Cancer Research, infections can trigger acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in genetically predisposed children, but only those raised in germ-free early environments.
This means exposing babies to other children may actually protect them from the illness by “priming” their immune systems against later infections.
“The most important implication is that most cases of childhood leukaemia are likely to be preventable,” said Professor Greaves. “It might be done in the same way that is currently under consideration for autoimmune disease or allergies – perhaps with simple and safe interventions to expose infants to a variety of common and harmless bugs.”
The scientist brought together more than 30 years of research to develop the theory and now intends to work on treatments that can prevent the cancer altogether.
The breakthrough could revolutionise treatment of the disease.
According to Professor Mel Greaves of the Institute of Cancer Research, infections can trigger acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in genetically predisposed children, but only those raised in germ-free early environments.
This means exposing babies to other children may actually protect them from the illness by “priming” their immune systems against later infections.
“The most important implication is that most cases of childhood leukaemia are likely to be preventable,” said Professor Greaves. “It might be done in the same way that is currently under consideration for autoimmune disease or allergies – perhaps with simple and safe interventions to expose infants to a variety of common and harmless bugs.”
The scientist brought together more than 30 years of research to develop the theory and now intends to work on treatments that can prevent the cancer altogether.