Blocking protein kills prostate cancer cells, inhibits tumor growth, Jefferson scien...( (PHILADELPHIA) Researchers at Jeffer...),Health
(PHILADELPHIA) Researchers at Jeffersons Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia have shown that they can effectively kill prostate cancer cells in both the laboratory and in experimental animal models by blocking a signaling protein that is key to the cancers growth. The work proves that the protein, Stat5, is both vital to prostate cancer cell maintenance and that it is a viable target for drug therapy.
The scientists, led by Marja Nevalainen, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of Cancer Biology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, wanted to prove that Stat5 was indeed necessary for prostate cancer cells to be viable. They blocked the proteins expression and function in several ways, including siRNA inhibition, antisense inhibition and adenoviral gene delivery of an inhibitory form of Stat5. All of these techniques killed the prostate cancer cells in cell culture. The researchers also showed when they transplanted such cancerous tissue into mice and blocked Stat5 expression, prostate tumors failed to grow.
This provides the proof of principle that Stat5 is a therapeutic target protein for prostate cancer, and may be specifically useful for advanced prostate cancer, where there are no effective therapies, Dr. Nevalainen says. These results are very reproducible. She and her team report their findings March 1, 2008 in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
Hormone resistant prostate cancer is especially dangerous. Men with primary prostate cancer usually have either surgery or radiation, whereas subsequent disease is frequently treated by hormone therapy. But if the cancer recurs again, years later, it can be more aggressive and typically fails to respond to hormone treatment, often leaving few treatment options.
The findings, Dr. Nevalainen notes, are particularly relevant because her team worked with urologists to get human prostate cancer tissue specimens from surgeries, putting them into cell tissue culture
'/>"/>
| Contact: Steve Benowitz steven.benowitz@jefferson.edu 215-955-5291 Thomas Jefferson University Source:Eurekalert |
Related medicine news :
1. Blocking Potent Oxidant Could Prevent Morphine Tolerance
2. Draining away brains toxic protein to stop Alzheimers
3. Penn study finds pro-death proteins required to regulate healthy immune function
4. New prion protein discovered by Canadian scientists may offer insight into mad cow disease
5. Emory researchers identify signaling protein for multiple myeloma
6. Human C-reactive protein regulates myeloma tumor cell growth and survival
7. Lowering Blood Protein Wont Help Kidney Patients
8. Blood protein detects lung cancer, even at earliest stage
9. Natural Protein Could Help Spot, Treat Liver Cancer
10. Heat shock proteins are co-opted for cancer
11. How adhesive protein causes malaria
| Copyright © 2003-2009 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |