A scientific study has revealed the presence of antibodies targeting proteins responsible for repairing DNA damage in some children with cancer, suggesting a possible link between immune response and genetic repair disorders in some cases of the disease.
The "Frontiers" website reported on Wednesday that researchers from the University of Bergen and Oslo University Hospital in Norway observed elevated levels of these antibodies in children with cancer, explaining that some may enter cells and bind to proteins responsible for DNA repair, potentially affecting their ability to perform their functions.
The study included analysis of blood and tumor samples from 175 people with sarcoma, a group of cancers affecting bones or soft tissues, or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers also analyzed blood samples from 59 children who participated in long-term follow-up studies in Britain.
The results showed that children who later developed cancer were about eight times more likely to have antibodies targeting at least one of the proteins responsible for DNA repair, compared to children who did not develop the disease.
Researchers noted that some of these antibodies were detected in blood samples collected years before the cancer diagnosis, making them a subject of interest for further studies on their potential role in understanding factors associated with the disease.
Researchers continue to study the effect of these antibodies on the ability of cells to repair damage to their genetic material, to determine whether they contribute to the onset of cancer or are linked to other factors, emphasizing the need for more research before drawing final conclusions about their role.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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