Genes drive deadly brain cancer
E. Nigma
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Scientists have discovered two genes that appear responsible for one
of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Glioblastoma multiforme rapidly invades the normal brain, producing
inoperable tumours, but scientists have not understood why it is so
aggressive.
The latest study, by a Columbia University team, published in Nature,
pinpoints two genes.
The researchers say that the findings raise hopes of developing a
treatment for the cancer.
" It means we are no longer wasting time developing drugs against
minor actors in brain cancer - we can now attack the major players "
Dr Antonio Iavarone Columbia University
The genes - C/EPB and Stat3 - are active in about 60% of glioblastoma
patients.
They appear to work in tandem to turn on many other genes that make
brain cells cancerous.
Patients in the study whose tumours showed evidence of both genes
being active died within 140 weeks of diagnosis.
In contrast, half of patients without activity from these genes were
alive after that time.
Master controls
Lead researcher Dr Antonio Iavarone described the two genes as the
disease's master control knobs.
He said: "When simultaneously activated, they work together to turn
on hundreds of other genes that transform brain cells into highly
aggressive, migratory cells.
"The finding means that suppressing both genes simultaneously, using
a combination of drugs, may be a powerful therapeutic approach for
these patients, for whom no satisfactory treatment exists."
When the researchers silenced both genes in human glioblastoma cells,
it completely blocked their ability to form tumours when injected in
a mouse.
The Columbia team is now attempting to develop drugs they hope will
achieve the same effect.
Using state-of-the-art techniques, they effectively mapped out the
comprehensive and highly complex network of molecular interactions
driving the behaviour of glioblastoma cells.
Dr Iavarone said: "The identification of C/EPB and Stat3 came as a
complete surprise to us, since these genes had never been implicated
before in brain cancer
"From a therapeutic perspective, it means we are no longer wasting
time developing drugs against minor actors in brain cancer - we can
now attack the major players."
Nell Barrie, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said:
"This research is exciting, as it sheds light on the key changes that
drive cells in the brain to become glioblastoma cells.
"By finding out exactly how healthy cells turn into cancer cells,
scientists hope to find clues for preventing or reversing the
process.
"The technique used in this study should help scientists to
understand these changes in other types of cancer, leading to new and
more personalised treatment approaches in the future."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/8426015.stm
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