Revolutionary New Way of Reversing Certain Cancers

Australian and American scientists have discovered a way of shrinking tumors in certain cancers caused by a class of genes known as “microRNAs,” which are produced by so-called junk DNA. Research shows a particular microRNA, (microRNA 380), seems to disable a key tumor suppressor, the p53 gene, which must be either mutated or disabled in order for a cell to become cancerous. The scientists studied neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer of the nervous system, discovering that the disabling of p53 in the disease was caused by overproduction of microRNA 380. When they blocked the microRNA by injecting microRNA inhibitor into the patients, p53 production resumed and tumors became much smaller. MicroRNAs function by controlling the production of proteins, but when bound to p53 RNA, as in the cancers being analyzed, they prevent the p53 RNA from manufacturing the tumor-suppressing p53 proteins, thereby allowing the tumor to grow. Although this discovery is at an early stage, the newfound understanding of regulation of certain cancers brings much potential to the development of treatments for the prevalent pernicious disease.

I found this article interesting because it provides insight into the current level in the progression of cancer treatment. Ever since I discovered that my uncle suffered from lung cancer, I have always coveted to delving into research on its possible cure. In addition, one of my goals in life is to save as many lives as I can, and what better way than to help develop a treatment for a disease that kills millions each year.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100928092843.htm