Gene discovered with links to leukaemia predisposition

Scientists have discovered a gene that could help medical professionals to determine whether patients are at risk of developing leukaemia.

A collaborative international study involving the universities of Adelaide and Washington has revealed the gene known as GATA2 plays a key role in the development of many diseases.

Mutations to this gene – which is typically responsible for the process of transition between primitive blood-forming cells and white blood cells – can predispose people to conditions such as acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplasia, it was found.

This inheritable error was shown by researchers to be "more common than we had thought", which means it could be a prime target for research into the creation of new therapies.

Tests could also be performed to detect GATA2 abnormalities in order to assess the risk posed by cancers before they emerge.

Acute myeloid leukaemia is considered an uncommon cancer, with NHS figures showing that around 1,800 new cases are diagnosed in England and Wales annually.