Project 170562

Regulatory polymorphisms in apoptosis genes and susceptibility to childhood leukemia

170562

Regulatory polymorphisms in apoptosis genes and susceptibility to childhood leukemia

$410,877
Project Information
Study Type: Observational Case_Control
Therapeutic Area: Oncology
Research Theme: Biomedical
Disease Area: acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Data Type: Canadian
Institution & Funding
Principal Investigator(s): Sinnett, Daniel
Co-Investigator(s): Roy-Gagnon, Marie-Hélène
Institution: Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (Montréal, Québec)
CIHR Institute: Genetics
Program: Operating Grant
Peer Review Committee: Cancer Progression & Therapeutics
Competition Year: 2008
Term: 3 yrs 0 mth
Abstract Summary

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, but little is known about the cause(s) of this disease. We have shown that the origin of childhood ALL could be explained by the interaction between genetic factors and environmental exposures. Here we propose that the susceptibility (or resistance) to childhood ALL is modified by functional variations in the sequences regulating the expression (promoter) of genes coding for programmed cell death (apoptosis). This hypothesis will be tested by performing genetic studies in ALL children (cases) and healthy individuals (controls). The expected results will provide new knowledge on how genes and the mechanisms of gene regulation lead to disease susceptibility or resistance. In the long term, these findings will allow the development of ALL prevention programs for the population.

Research Characteristics

This project includes the following research characteristics:

Novel Biostatistics
Environmental Health
Knowledge Translation Focus
Biomarker Endpoints
Vulnerable Populations
Personalized Medicine
Study Justification

"performing genetic studies in ALL children (cases) and healthy individuals (controls)"

Novelty Statement

"provide new knowledge on how genes and the mechanisms of gene regulation lead to disease susceptibility or resistance"

Methodology Innovation

investigating gene-environment interactions in childhood leukemia through regulatory polymorphism analysis

Keywords
Apoptosis Biostatistics Cancer Genetics Childhood Leukemia Electromobility Shift Assays Gene Expression