HFE-codon 63/282 (H63D/C282Y) gene variants in Mexican Mestizos are not risk factors for leukemia.

Background: In some Caucasian populations it has been found that the C282Y hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutation is a risk factor for the development of leukemia and other malignancies.

Methods: In a group of 50 Mexican mestizo patients and 153 normal controls, the HFE gene mutations H63D and C282Y were studied by means of ARMS-PCR.

Results: In the group of patients with leukemia we found a heterozygote for the C282Y mutation, seven heterozygotes for the H63D mutation, a double heterozygote for the H63D / C282Y mutation and 41 normal homozygotes.