Is it possible to find out predisposition to AML (acute leukemia) through DNA analysis of hair?

My friend has a lock of hair of his wife which died 6 month ago because of AML. He wants to know if she was genetically predisposed to AML, or if external factors were present.

Hi:

As a parent whose child was diagnosed with AML I can appreciate wanting to know "Why?", however, based on what I've learned about this disease I seriously doubt that a lock of hair would provide the answer.

First - DNA analysis can only be performed on cells that have a nucleus. If the lock of hair has attached and undamaged hair roots then it may be possible to extract and examine the DNA. The hair shaft itself does not contain any DNA material, instead it is composed only of an entirely dfferent and much, much simpler protein.

Second - Our child's DNA was in fact tested as part of the diagnostic process for two reasons:
a) to obtain a precise diagnosis as to exact AML sub-type [there are seven sub-types] in order that the best possible therapy would be used. This is because each AML sub-type has a different prognosis [treatment success rate], responds differently to different therapies, etc.
b) to help determine if/what DNA damage/change was responsible for triggering the AML.

Because we were participating in a clinical trial which was also looking into inheritable factors, parental DNA was also examined - nothing to suggest a predisposition to AML. Absolutely no sign of anything remotely like this in any of our respective family medical histories either. Our child's AML was just one of those things - a spontaneous, inexplicable and dangerous mutation. [The medical literature thus far shows no clear cause-effect or hereditary link.] We also had to answer what seemed like hundreds of questions about our child's medical history [including vaccinations], home and day care environments, nutrition, distance of our home to nearest electrical corridor, exposure to microwave and other forms pf radiation, etc. No possibility was excluded in this fact finding.

Something else that you should know about hair - the hair follicles/strands can in fact reveal the presence and relative amounts of toxins, mostly what are termed heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic and mercury. While these are toxic when ingested, they are not generally associated with cancers. In fact, one of the arsenic compounds is used to treat some serious hematologic diseases, especially those where red blood cell production is suppressed.

There is a tremendous amount of research being done on cancer with new discoveries published every day, so keep reading. For current diagnostic practices, you might consult the Hematology/Oncology medical journals. For current medical/clinical therapies, try the National Cancer Institute [do a search for "PDQ"].

Hope this answers your question.

Good luck,
Jay

Thank you very much for your interesting and thorough anwser. There is a good reason that my friend searches for DNA problems. His deceased wife worked a long time in chemical factory (as a blue collar worker) with possible exposion to benzene - a know karcinogene and AML starter. And his wife did not receive the medical checkup and hundreds of questions that your child did. Instead her doctor never tested her blood, although she complained of fatigue and anemia. She died ten days after it was finally found that she had AML by another doctor. She had no chance then.

My friend is trying to establish if there was a natural irreparable DNA cause, or if the cause was benzene exposure and physician neglect.

Here is an EPA article on benzene exposure and AML:

Benzene (CASRN 71-43-2), IRIS, Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0276.htm

Good luck,
Jay

I would be interested in knowing the answer to your question. My grandfater was diagnosed at the age of 63 with acute lymphomatic leukemia, he passed away at age 64. My father was diagnosed with the exact same at the age of 53 and passed away at the age of 54. I have one brother who is currently 34 and worry is this a hereditary thing in our family. I'm sorry I don't have any answers but this is a good question.

ALL is quite different from AML. And, at least among children, there are specific genetic markers or predispositions for some ALL subtypes. I don't know if this is also the case among adults with ALL.

There's a lot of genetic research being conducted to determine the molecular and genetic basis of leukemias in general, by type and subtype. I'm guessing that it will be some time yet before all of the different pieces and processes implicated in leukemia are identified and understood.

Human Molecular Genetics journals and clinical research sites may be worth visiting if you're interested in learning more about these diseases.