New Tumor Proteins May Identify a Range of Cancers Early

The detection of tumors at the earliest stage possible is a necessity in most cases for effective administration of cancer treatment. In this article a set of proteins labeled PL2L proteins were found in a new cell type labeled precancerous stem cells. With the use of these as identification markers a far earlier set of detection methods and cell specific treatments could occur.

In the article Jian-Xin Gao and his colleagues found that a new cell type expressed Piwil2 gene which gives rise to the PL2L protein. Piwil2 gives rise to multiple forms of the protein PL2L such as PL2L40, PL2L50, PL2L60 and PL2L80. Of these, PL2L60 is the most prolific in tumor cells. Using antibodies Gao found PL2L60 in multiple cancer cell types in the human body as well as in mice all through out the body. It is believed that while it most likely is a cause for the tumors, it does not work in the same process as other oncogenes. If all of Gao’s finding continue to hold true then it would seem that the early detection as well as specific treaments may be possible or as Jian-Xin Gao said. "We believe we may have identified a common tumor antigen that may play a role in tumor development generally and serve as a bridge linking cancer diagnostics and anticancer drug development,"

I found this article particularly interesting for two reasons, first as far as fields of medicine go I have an interest in oncology and am considering the possibility of pursuing that particular field. So any information that allows me to further investigate the field is of some significance to me. The second is that a pastor by the name of Matt Chandler, who currently teaches at the Village Church in Dallas Texas, was diagnosed with oligodendroglioma in his frontal lobe roughly a year ago. He has since then been treated with chemo and radiation and has for the time being had it go into recession.

Sources

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020171605.htm