Recent research revealed that genetic variations affect the response of patient to treatment for lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers believe that these genetic variations explain why some children do not respond to the treatment of this type of blood and bone marrow cancer although about 80 percent of children are cured.

Research team led by Mary V. Relling, who chairs the pharmaceutical department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn studied genetic variations in 487 children with lymphoblastic leukemia. The study indicated 102 SNPs associated with minimal residual disease.  

Researchers found that out of the 102 SNPs, 21 were significantly associated with haematologic (blood-related) relapse. Of 102 SNPs, 21 were also associated with antileukaemic drug disposition, generally linking MRD eradication with greater drug exposure.

Study concluded that 61.7 percent of the SNPs were linked to early response, relapse risk or the performance of antileukemic drugs,

Mary V. Relling said: "Our findings imply that the DNA patients inherit from their parents also explains why some patients respond to chemotherapy better than others. We also found some interesting genes that were previously under-appreciated and may provide new targets for new drug development."