Hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations are not risk factors for developing leukemia in Mexican mestizos

03-07-2007

"In some Caucasian populations it has been found that the C282Y HFE gene mutation is a risk factor for the development of leukemia and other malignancies," scientists in Mexico reported.

"In a group of 50 Mexican mestizo patients and 153 normal controls, the HFE gene mutations H63D and C282Y were studied by means of ARMS-PCR. In the group of patients with leukemia we found a heterozygote for the C282Y mutation, 7 heterozygotes for the H63D mutation, a double heterozygote for the H63D/C282Y mutation and 41 normal homozygotes. These data are not different from those observed in normal controls, where the allele frequencies were .062 and .013 for the H63D and C282Y HFE gene mutations, respectively," explained G.J. Ruizarguelles and colleagues, Centro de Hematologia y Medicina Interna de Puebla.

The researchers concluded, "These HFE gene mutations are not risk factors for the development of leukemia in Mexican mestizos."

Ruizarguelles and colleagues published their study in Archives of Medical Research (HFE-Codon 63/282 (H63D/C282Y) gene variants in Mexican mestizos are not risk factors for leukemia. Arch Med Res, 2006;37(1):65-67).

For more information, contact G.J. Ruizarguelles, Centro de Hematologia y Medicina Interna de Puebla, 8B Sur 3710, Puebla 72530, Mexico.

Publisher contact information for the journal Archives of Medical Research is: Elsevier Science Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA.

This article was prepared by Disease Prevention Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Disease Prevention Week via NewsRx.com.