Antibodies Against DNA Repair Proteins Found Before Childhood Cancer

Norwegian researchers found that children who later developed cancer had autoantibodies targeting DNA repair proteins years before diagnosis. In lab experiments these antibodies entered living cells and bound the proteins, potentially weakening the cell's genetic safeguards.

• Children aged 2–19 with sarcoma and leukemia had more IgG against DNA repair proteins
• Antibodies targeted proteins of six genes, including RAD52, UNG and MGMT
• Children who later got cancer were about 8 times more likely to have such antibodies
• In experiments the antibodies entered cells and bound DNA repair proteins