Good News and Bad News on Cancer
Scientists affiliated with the Cancer genome project have isolated hundreds of genes that, when mutated, contribute to Cancer:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6424117.stm
In the 1980's, there was a fair amount of optimism that Cancer could be linked to isolated gene mutations- perhaps acting alone- that caused the development of tumors and subsequent metastasis (spread to other tissues). This research indicates that Cancer (or at least many types of Cancer) are the result of multiple gene products acting together (or no longer interacting correctly) to create the conditions necessary for Cancer. As one might imagine, this makes early diagnosis more difficult and treatment potentially more challenging (although, a drug that hits one target may still be enough to stop the disease).
Interestingly, one set of prime culprits were the "kinases." These proteins take a phosphate group from the energy carrier ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) and attach it to another protein. What is the point of such an action? By attaching a phospate group on another protein, that protein might change shape- thus activating or deactivating the function of that protein. The result is that the signalling (communication) system within the cell is disrupted. A cell might be activated to start dividing or invading new tissues. Certain chemicals that are known to cause Cancer activate protein kinases. Phorbol Ester (a chemical found in linseed) is one such chemical that is highly carcinogenic and turns on a certain kinase named Protein Kinase C. These are just one set of a variety of other proteins that turn on and off the cells communication pathways. It is likely that genomics will find many other signalling proteins that play a role in Cancer formation and spread. It also means that scientists will identify more drug targets that could be used to control Cancer.
Scientists affiliated with the Cancer genome project have isolated hundreds of genes that, when mutated, contribute to Cancer:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6424117.stm
In the 1980's, there was a fair amount of optimism that Cancer could be linked to isolated gene mutations- perhaps acting alone- that caused the development of tumors and subsequent metastasis (spread to other tissues). This research indicates that Cancer (or at least many types of Cancer) are the result of multiple gene products acting together (or no longer interacting correctly) to create the conditions necessary for Cancer. As one might imagine, this makes early diagnosis more difficult and treatment potentially more challenging (although, a drug that hits one target may still be enough to stop the disease).
Interestingly, one set of prime culprits were the "kinases." These proteins take a phosphate group from the energy carrier ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) and attach it to another protein. What is the point of such an action? By attaching a phospate group on another protein, that protein might change shape- thus activating or deactivating the function of that protein. The result is that the signalling (communication) system within the cell is disrupted. A cell might be activated to start dividing or invading new tissues. Certain chemicals that are known to cause Cancer activate protein kinases. Phorbol Ester (a chemical found in linseed) is one such chemical that is highly carcinogenic and turns on a certain kinase named Protein Kinase C. These are just one set of a variety of other proteins that turn on and off the cells communication pathways. It is likely that genomics will find many other signalling proteins that play a role in Cancer formation and spread. It also means that scientists will identify more drug targets that could be used to control Cancer.
posted by LMI1 at 6:06 PM
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