Association between Hand Digit Ratio (2D : 4D) and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Verônica O Dias,Daniella R B Martelli,Maria L Santos,Patrícia Helena C Mendes,Claudia A D Fonseca,Hercílio Martelli Júnior,Rodrigo S De Andrade

doi:10.1155/2018/4938725

Verônica O Dias, Daniella R B Martelli + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4938725

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Abstract

Objective Digit ratio (2D : 4D) has been suggested as a biomarker for prenatal hormone activity and has been linked to several types of cancer. This study investigated the possible correlation between 2D : 4D ratios and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods A case-control study was performed with Brazilian subjects. Direct measurements of the lengths of index and ring fingers of both hands of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 43) and controls matched by age and gender (n = 86) were obtained by using a digital vernier caliper. Mean ratios between the second and fourth digits were compared. Data were analyzed by Student's t-test with a significance level of 5%. Results No significant difference was found between the mean digit ratios of the right and left hands between the groups for any analysis (p > 0.05), neither for the whole sample nor for the distribution by gender. Conclusions We observed that patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia do not have a different digit pattern when compared with unaffected individuals, which may suggest that exposure to prenatal sex hormone is similar between groups.

Highlights

The ratio of the length of the second finger to the fourth finger has been proposed as a marker for prenatal hormone exposure [1]
Digit development is regulated by the activity of 19 skeletogenic genes with estrogen and testosterone regulating their expression in the opposite directions [4, 7]
We aimed to investigate whether individuals with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a different standard digit ratio when compared with a similar unaffected population

Summary

Introduction

The ratio of the length of the second (index) finger to the fourth (ring) finger ( known as digit ratio or the 2D : 4D ratio) has been proposed as a marker for prenatal hormone (testosterone and estrogen) exposure [1]. Digit development is regulated by the activity of 19 skeletogenic genes with estrogen and testosterone regulating their expression in the opposite directions [4, 7]. Some of these genes were strongly implicated in the development and progression of cancer [4]

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Conclusion