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Gene-Temperature Interactions and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|July 17, 2026
Summary
High ambient temperature during early pregnancy increases childhood leukemia risk, particularly in those with lower genetic susceptibility. Gene-temperature interactions may play a role in this association.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Genetic Epidemiology
Background:
- High ambient temperatures in early pregnancy are associated with increased risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Biological mechanisms underlying this association require further investigation, particularly regarding genetic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the interaction between ambient temperature during pregnancy and genetic characteristics in the risk of childhood ALL.
- To identify specific genes and genetic polymorphisms that may modify the relationship between temperature exposure and ALL risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized California birth records and cancer registry data to identify ALL cases and matched controls.
- Assessed weekly ambient temperatures and analyzed genome-wide genetic data from neonatal blood spots.
- Examined the association between temperature and ALL risk across quartiles of genetic susceptibility and tested for gene-temperature interactions.
Main Results:
- Elevated ALL risk was observed with higher weekly mean ambient temperatures in early pregnancy, especially in children with lower genetic susceptibility (e.g., Latino children).
- Significant gene-temperature interactions were identified for polymorphisms in BNC1, TBPL2, and NRXN1, suggesting a combined effect on ALL risk.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a potential interaction between early pregnancy ambient temperature and offspring genotype in the risk of childhood ALL.
- These results may help elucidate the biological pathways linking environmental heat exposure during gestation to pediatric leukemia development.
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