More than 250 genes found that contribute to leukaemia

Researchers have found more than 250 genes that contribute to the development of leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells). Jaap Kool, Anthony Uren and colleagues at the Netherlands Cancer Institute traced 10,000 mutations in 500 mouse leukaemias, and analysing them revealed more than 250 new cancer genes.

In mice, the researchers used a technique called retroviral insertional mutagenesis. Retroviruses insert their DNA into the genome of the cells they infect, which can affect neighbouring host genes or disrupt a gene's code. If the affected gene is a cancer gene, the viral insertion helps the tumour develop, and the mutated genes can then be identified by DNA analysis.

Kool, Uren and colleagues were the first to combine retroviral insertional mutagenesis with high-throughput (automated) DNA analysis, which let them analyse far more mutations than other studies. As well as identifying more than 250 new cancer genes, it revealed how cancer genes work together to cause leukaemia.