Navigation Links
Cancer cells revert to normal at specific signal threshold, Stanford researchers find
Date:6/30/2008

STANFORD, Calif. - Cancer starts when key cellular signals run amok, driving uncontrolled cell growth. But scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine report that lowering levels of one cancer signal under a specific threshold reverses this process in mice, returning tumor cells to their normal, healthy state. The finding could help target cancer chemotherapy to tumors while minimizing side effects for the body's healthy cells.

The researchers identified a precise threshold level of the signaling molecule Myc that determined the fate of tumor cells in a cancer of the immune system in mice. Above the threshold, high levels of Myc drove immune cells to grow too large and multiply uncontrollably. When the researchers lowered Myc levels below the threshold, the same cells shrank to normal size, stopped multiplying and began dying normally.

"This is a new concept," said Catherine Shachaf, PhD, an instructor in microbiology and immunology who shared lead authorship of the study with colleague Andrew Gentles, PhD, a research associate in radiology. Previous research demonstrated that turning Myc and other cancer signals all the way off can kill a tumor, but this is the first time scientists have demonstrated a specific midway point at which a cancer signal reverted to a healthy level, Shachaf said. The findings will be published in the July 1 issue of Cancer Research.

Identifying the threshold was important because Myc functions in both healthy and cancerous cells as a transcription factor, a protein signal that binds DNA to turn genes on or off. Excess Myc contributes to about 50 percent of human cancers, including malignancies of the immune system and lung.

But Myc is essential, at lower levels, for normal cell function. So, switching Myc all the way off is not an option for treating cancer.

"I wanted to figure out, if we had a drug to turn off Myc, how could we give it to people without hurting them
'/>"/>

Contact: Erin Digitale
digitale@stanford.edu
650-724-9175
Stanford University Medical Center
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related medicine news :

1. Cancer Survivor Physician Writes Book: Conquering the Game of Life
2. The Mesothelioma Victims Center Offers Victims Of Asbestos Related Cancer & Their Loved Ones The Most Comprehensive Free Service Especially For US Navy Veterans
3. Cancer cure in mice to be tested in humans
4. Senators Chuck Hagel and Dianne Feinstein Make Lung Cancer Matter
5. American Lung Association Report Finds Lung Disease Death Rates Increasing While Cancer, Heart Disease and Stroke Death Rates Are Decreasing
6. New clinical trial for patients with asbestos-associated lung cancer
7. Researchers identify promising cancer drug target in prostate tumors
8. CCNY researchers demonstrate effectiveness of contrast agent Cytate in detectcing prostate cancer
9. Ovarian cancers specific scent detected by dogs
10. Elevated biomarkers predict risk for prostate cancer recurrence
11. Faulty DNA repair could be a risk factor for lung cancer in nonsmokers
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Breaking Medicine Technology:FDA Grants Cequent IND - Clears Way for First-Ever Clinical Trial of Orally Delivered RNAi Therapeutic: CEQ508, a tkRNAi Drug Candidate in Oncology 2FDA Grants Cequent IND - Clears Way for First-Ever Clinical Trial of Orally Delivered RNAi Therapeutic: CEQ508, a tkRNAi Drug Candidate in Oncology 3FDA Grants Cequent IND - Clears Way for First-Ever Clinical Trial of Orally Delivered RNAi Therapeutic: CEQ508, a tkRNAi Drug Candidate in Oncology 4The Army Awards Follow-On Contract for Autonomous Airway Management to Energid Technologies 2Express Scripts Launches Equity Offering to Finance Acquisition 47588 1Express Scripts Launches Equity Offering to Finance Acquisition 47588 2Express Scripts Launches Equity Offering to Finance Acquisition 47588 3Leading North American Emergency Medical Services Provider British Columbia Ambulance Service Selects NICE Inform for Improved Service 12409 1Leading North American Emergency Medical Services Provider British Columbia Ambulance Service Selects NICE Inform for Improved Service 12409 2Leading North American Emergency Medical Services Provider British Columbia Ambulance Service Selects NICE Inform for Improved Service 12409 3Leading North American Emergency Medical Services Provider British Columbia Ambulance Service Selects NICE Inform for Improved Service 12409 4Leading North American Emergency Medical Services Provider British Columbia Ambulance Service Selects NICE Inform for Improved Service 12409 5Prometheus Announces New Findings Regarding Patients at Risk for Celiac Disease at DDW 4513 1Prometheus Announces New Findings Regarding Patients at Risk for Celiac Disease at DDW 4513 2Prometheus Announces New Findings Regarding Patients at Risk for Celiac Disease at DDW 4513 3
Other Medicine Technology:Orchestra Therapeutics Announces New Phase II Clinical Data on,NeuroVax Demonstrating Marked Expansion of Regulatory T Cell,Populations in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis 2Orchestra Therapeutics Announces New Phase II Clinical Data on,NeuroVax Demonstrating Marked Expansion of Regulatory T Cell,Populations in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis 3Orchestra Therapeutics Announces New Phase II Clinical Data on,NeuroVax Demonstrating Marked Expansion of Regulatory T Cell,Populations in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis 4Orchestra Therapeutics Announces New Phase II Clinical Data on,NeuroVax Demonstrating Marked Expansion of Regulatory T Cell,Populations in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis 5Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy With (90)Y-epratuzumab in,Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Appears Safe and Active in a Phase I/II,Study 2Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy With (90)Y-epratuzumab in,Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Appears Safe and Active in a Phase I/II,Study 3Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy With (90)Y-epratuzumab in,Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Appears Safe and Active in a Phase I/II,Study 4Fractionated Radioimmunotherapy With (90)Y-epratuzumab in,Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Appears Safe and Active in a Phase I/II,Study 5