Genetic Variations in Cancer: L-myc and c-myb in Leukaemia and Lymphoma
Author Information
Author(s): G. Chenevix-Trench, M. Southall, C. Kidson
Primary Institution: Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Hypothesis
Are specific alleles of c-myb and L-myc associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia?
Conclusion
The study found no evidence that the c-myb polymorphism is involved in the aetiology of lymphoma and leukaemia, but there is tentative evidence that variation at the L-myc locus may play a role in susceptibility to these cancers.
Supporting Evidence
- The genotype frequencies for c-myb were homogeneous between the two control groups and the two patient groups.
- There was no significant difference in the c-myb gene frequencies between the patient and control groups.
- The L-myc data showed significant heterogeneity between the two control groups.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at genes that might make people more likely to get certain types of blood cancer, but they didn't find strong evidence for one gene and found some hints about another.
Methodology
The study analyzed the frequencies of c-myb and L-myc restriction fragment length polymorphisms in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia compared to control groups.
Potential Biases
The control groups may not have been perfectly matched for age and ethnicity, which could introduce bias.
Limitations
The sample sizes were too small to treat the subtypes of the diseases independently, which may have concealed significant associations.
Participant Demographics
The study included 65 NHL patients with a mean age of 58.6 years and 6 ALL patients with a mean age of 2.3 years, all of European extraction.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02 < P < 0.05
Confidence Interval
0.432 ± 0.023 for c-myb Al allele; 0.485 ± 0.021 for L-myc L allele
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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