Sunday, January 21, 2007
Cancer scientists' gene research offers new treatment hope
22 January: Scientists are developing a new weapon in the war on cancer by targeting the human genes that allow tumours to grow unchecked in the body.
Two separate teams of researchers have found a way of switching off critical genes within a tumour cell that would otherwise stimulate the spread of the cancer. Although the research is still at an early stage, scientists are describing the approach as potentially one of the most important developments since the former US president Richard Nixon declared his "war in cancer" in 1971.
One team at the University of Oxford has shown in a laboratory study that it is possible to use large molecules of RNA to switch off a gene responsible for an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is essential for the rapid proliferation of tumour cells.
Another team, based in the German city of Tübingen has used smaller molecules of RNA in an animal study to switch off a separate gene known to be involved in the rapid growth of brain tumours.
Two separate teams of researchers have found a way of switching off critical genes within a tumour cell that would otherwise stimulate the spread of the cancer. Although the research is still at an early stage, scientists are describing the approach as potentially one of the most important developments since the former US president Richard Nixon declared his "war in cancer" in 1971.
One team at the University of Oxford has shown in a laboratory study that it is possible to use large molecules of RNA to switch off a gene responsible for an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is essential for the rapid proliferation of tumour cells.
Another team, based in the German city of Tübingen has used smaller molecules of RNA in an animal study to switch off a separate gene known to be involved in the rapid growth of brain tumours.
# posted by uv : 10:02 PM
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