Genetic mutations linked to leukemia occur with age

According to a new research, one could almost certainly develop genetic mutations linked to leukemia as they grow older. According to the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, it is estimated by researchers that up to 20% of people between the ages of 50 and 60, and more than 70% of people who are above 90, have blood cells with gene changes observed in leukemia cases.

A team of researchers analyzed 4,219 individuals, who had no evidence of blood cancer. They studied the initial stages of cancer development in some of the patients among participants. Sequencing methods were used by researchers to detect DNA mutations.

Researchers were able to analyze 15 locations in the genome, which undergo mutations in cases of leukemia. When the study was compared to earlier studies, it was found that pre-leukemic cells present in the general population are much more than what was determined earlier and these cells also increase with age.

"This study helps us understand how aging can lead to leukaemia, even though the great majority of people will not live long enough to accumulate all the mutations required to develop the disease", said Dr. Thomas McKerrell, joint first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.

McKerrell said leukemia is caused by the gradual increase of DNA mutations in blood stem cells. There was no participant, who was found to have NPM1 gene mutation. NPM1 gene mutation is observed in as much as 40% of acute leukemia cases. According to the findings of the study, mutations in NPM1 serve as 'gatekeepers' for the cancer, and mutation in this gene, which consists of pre-leukemic mutations, leads to development of the disease.