MLL REARRANGEMENTS IN INFANT LEUKEMIA - IS THERE A HIGHER FREQUENCY IN FEMALES

Unlike childhood leukemia diagnosed at later ages, where there is an e xcess risk in males, there is a notable female predominance in infant leukemia. Since abnormalities involving the MLL gene are frequent in i nfants with leukemia, we asked whether there are gender differences wi th respect to MLL gene status. Data were combined from seven published molecular studies that examined MLL abnormalities in infants with leu kemia. Of 239 cases with conclusive information, there was a female pr edominance in cases with an MLL abnormality (female:male ratio 1.3); t his was in marked contrast to cases with normal germline MLL (female:m ale ratio, 0.7). These potential gender-dependent MLL frequencies shou ld be explored in large populations of infant leukemia and, if confirm ed, future investigations could be directed toward potential etiologic mechanisms. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.