A non-inherited gene defect commonly found in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is also present in 1 per cent of healthy newborn babies, say scientists at the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Professor Mel Greaves (director, leukaemia research fund centre) and colleagues found that six babies of 530 screened for the "leukaemic " TEL-AML1 gene had the gene in their blood.
The researchers say that this is 100 times the incidence of ALL itself with only one in 100 babies with the abnormal TEL-AML gene eventually developing the disease.
Commenting on the research, Professor Greaves said in a press release issued by the institute on December 4: "It vindicates our view . . . that some second event, occurring at a 1 per cent rate in these children after birth, is critical for full-blown leukaemia. It's unlikely we can prevent the pre-natal event, but some form of vaccination in infancy might well prevent leukaemia occurring. "