A team of international researchers led by the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK have found two regions of the human genome linked to increased risk for the most common form of childhood kidney cancer, Wilms tumor. Scientists have suspected a genetic role in the rare disease because it can occur in siblings and twins. The ICR team analyzed DNA variants from Wilms tumor patients as well as healthy people in the UK and America. They noted that the two regions they identified have been linked to other diseases and cancers. Learning more about how these regions are involved in Wilms tumor should lead to better understanding of the disease and improved treatments in the future.

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Scientists Find DNA Variants Linked to Childhood Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, April 29, 2012

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Scientists from Singapore and China studying people of Han Chinese descent have identified genes and regions in the human genome that increase susceptibility to IgA nephropathy.  The researchers believe the genes could also play a role in the development of clinical symptoms and their severity. Lead scientist, Dr. Yu Xueqing said, “These findings offer us opportunities to identify important biological pathways involved in IgAN development and further explore novel approaches to intervene and thus prevent affected patients from developing severe kidney damage.”

IgA nephropathy occurs when immunoglobin A, an antibody that helps fight infections, builds up inside the blood vessels of the kidney, causing inflammation. The disease affects people differently. Some experience occasional blood in the urine, while others suffer decreased kidney function and often kidney failure. IgAN is a leading cause of kidney failure among Asian populations and usually affects males in their teens to late 30′s.

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Scientists Unravel Kidney Disease Susceptibility Genes in Asian Genomic Study, Asian Scientist, January 4, 2012

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Researchers from the United States, Italy, and China have joined together to unravel the mysteries of IgA nephropathy, a disease that is the leading cause of kidney failure in Asia and Southern Europe. Scientists studying a group of IgA nephropathy patients of Chinese and European heritage uncovered five regions of the human genome associated with the disease. Now they want to find out if these genetic differences occur in other populations affected by the disorder. And they hope to discover why some patients experience a benign form of the disease and others progress to kidney failure. These findings may also pave the way for improved diagnosis with genetic testing, eliminating the need for today’s invasive kidney biopsies.

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NIH Study Finds Genetic Clues to Major Cause of Kidney Disease Worldwide, National Institutes of Health, April 4, 2011

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From BBC News
April 12, 2010
An international team of researchers has identified 20 genes related to kidney function and the production and secretion of creatinine that could explain more about the causes and biology of chronic kidney disease. This is a great breakthrough, but there is still more research to do!
Scientists Hail Revolutionary Kidney Gene Find

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From The Jerusalem Post
February 12, 2010
Israeli researchers have uncovered new genetic data to help explain the high rates of kidney disease among people of African descent.
Haifa Scientists’ Find May Help Millions

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