Research Stories – Childhood cancer and the immune system

Can childhood leukaemia be caused by exposure to infection?

Leukaemia is the most common of the childhood cancers. As with most other childhood cancers, we don’t really understand what causes it.

A large body of research has taken place around the role of infection in the development of childhood cancer. Some of this research points towards a protective role of early exposure to childhood infections. Other research suggests that leukaemia may actually be caused by an abnormal response to an infection.

No specific infection has so far been identified and Ian is using new and unique methodology to try to resolve this debate once and for all.

If he is successful in pinpointing a causal infection, this could have important implications for prevention as well as having a role in diagnosis and disease management.

I had an amazing day understanding the research into cancer and how, as we look forward, there will hopefully be alternative cures other than chemotherapy. The doctors/researchers were absolutely engaging and inspiring – a lifetime spent looking for better alternatives.
I am so pleased that the money raised by Coral goes to such important research.
Joanne Moran, NW Regional Director, Coral

Read more: Infections and development of childhood luekaemia

Thank you Coral!

These two projects in Manchester, in common with our other projects around the UK, are funded entirely through voluntary donations.

To date, the amazing team at Coral have raised more than £1.3 million, massively increasing our ability to fund new research. We are so grateful to them for their incredible fundraising efforts. Thank you Coral!