Causation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia--insights from familial disease.
In Western countries B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia. Evidence from epidemiological studies and family studies strongly supports the notion that a subset of CLL involves inherited susceptibility. Identification of genes predisposing to CLL should be useful for diagnosis and treatment, as well as serving as a model for B-cell tumorigenesis in general. Here, we review the current status of knowledge about inherited susceptibility to CLL.
Houlston
Richard S
RS
Section of Cancer Genetics, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG, UK. r.houlston@icr.ac.uk
Sellick
Gabrielle
G
Yuille
Martin
M
Matutes
Estella
E
Catovsky
Daniel
D
D005192:Family Health; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*