Familial chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a survey and review of published studies.
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukaemia. To gain insight into the role of inherited factors in the disease, we have conducted a survey of the family histories of 268 CLL patients and have reviewed published familial cases and epidemiological studies. The results of our survey and published studies strongly support the hypothesis that a subset of the disease can be ascribed to a genetic predisposition. The most likely genetic model for inherited predisposition appears to be dominantly acting genes with pleiotropic effects because in many families CLL appears to be associated with other lymphoproliferative disorders.
Academic Department of Haematology and Cytogenetics and Section of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK.
M R
MR
Yuille
E
E
Matutes
A
A
Marossy
B
B
Hilditch
D
D
Catovsky
R S
RS
Houlston
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020132:Anticipation, Genetic; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk