Researchers discover an epigenetic lesion that could cause acute T-cell leukaemia

Researchers of the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program (PEBC) led by Manel Esteller, ICREA researcher at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the University of Barcelona, have found out how an epigenetic lesion can cause a T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The article, published in the journal Leukemia, leader in the field of haematology, associates this lesion with the activation of a powerful oncogene which is capable of malignizing these kinds of cells in the immune system. In the study, the researchers have noted that in a 60% of T-cell acute leukaemias, T cells show a loss of activity in a gene called NUDT16, which should degrade other dangerous genes.

Researchers of the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program (PEBC) led by Manel Esteller, ICREA researcher at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the University of Barcelona, have found out how an epigenetic lesion can cause a T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The article, published in the journal Leukemia, leader in the field of haematology, associates this lesion with the activation of a powerful oncogene which is capable of malignizing these kinds of cells in the immune system. In the study, the researchers have noted that in a 60% of T-cell acute leukaemias, T cells show a loss of activity in a gene called NUDT16, which should degrade other dangerous genes.