Navigation Links
Nanoscale gene 'ignition switch' may help spot and treat cancer
Date:12/15/2010

In a proof of principal study in mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins and the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) have shown that a set of genetic instructions encased in a nanoparticle can be used as an "ignition switch" to rev up gene activity that aids cancer detection and treatment.

The switch, called a promoter, is a set of chemical letters that interacts with DNA to turn on gene activity. In this case, the scientists used a promoter called PEG-Prom, cloned by VCU researcher Paul Fisher, Ph.D. PEG-Prom is activated only when inside cancer cells, not in normal ones.

"With current imaging devices like CT and PET, we can tell if something is wrong in a patient, but we don't have definitive tools to distinguish cancer from inflammation or infection," says Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology at Johns Hopkins. "It generally takes at least one month after giving patients certain cancer treatments before existing imaging tools can measure the patient's response to the therapy."

To differentiate cancer cells from normal cells, Johns Hopkins scientists connected PEG-Prom to either a gene that produces firefly luciferase, the substance that make fireflies glow, or a gene called HSV1tk, which initiates a chemical reaction with radioactive labels inside the cell that can be detected by imaging devices. Once inside a cancer cell, the PEG-Prom switch is turned on, and it activates either the luciferase or HSV1tk gene.

Then, they stuffed the PEG-Prom/gene combination into tiny spheres about 50,000 times smaller than the head of a pin and intravenously injected the nanoparticles into mice with either metastatic breast cancer or melanoma.

The findings, reported in the December 12 online edition of Nature Medicine, reveal a 30-fold difference in identifying cancer cells containing luciferase and normal cells that did not contain the substance. Similar results were observed in cancer cells filled with
'/>"/>

Contact: Vanessa Wasta
wasta@jhmi.edu
410-955-1287
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. Nanoscale stealth probe slides into cell walls seamlessly, say Stanford engineers
2. Cochlear Appoints Switched on Media to Develop its SEO Across the Asia Pacific Region
3. Researchers create drug to keep tumor growth switched off
4. BCS Global Launches PSVN (Public Switched Video Network), an Initiative to Provide a Framework for Inter-Connecting Business to Business Video Networks
5. Daylight-Saving Time Switch May Leave You Sleepy, U-M Physician Says
6. Researchers discover brain tumors grow-or-go switch
7. Discovery of cellular switch may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease
8. UBC graduate student finds a start/stop switch for retroviruses
9. Brains master switch is verified by Iowa State University researcher
10. Clue to switch of bladder cancer from locally contained to invasive found by Jefferson scientists
11. Memorys master switch
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 Shirataki noodles are ... part of a diet strategy. These noodles are originally ... konjac plant. When losing weight, diet and exercise are ... website helping dieters not only research shirataki noodles but ... where to buy them. Shirataki noodles are ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... GBI Research’s analysis indicates that the global ... small number of players accounting for a major proportion of ... growth rate between 2006 and 2012, possibly due to the ... markets, especially in the US. , GBI Research estimates ... billion in 2012, having grown in size at a CAGR ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... Prairie, WI (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 ... , introduced a new feature to its website ... from the agency’s client portfolio through an immersive, 360-degree, ... clients and prospective customers the ability to virtually experience ... a developer of medical technologies and services. Users have ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2013 Dr. Andrew ... to painful scalpel surgery with the Laser Assisted New Attachment ... is raising awareness about the connections between gum disease and ... concerns in the United States today, and is linked to ... of bacteria found in the infected gum pockets. , ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... 2013 Hosted by the California Dental ... clinic provided more than $1.6 million in charitable dental ... San Jose. , The California Dental Association Foundation ... provide free dental services and oral health education to ... third clinic held by CDA and CDAF in the ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:DietNoodleShop.com is Re-launching; Adding More Diet Recipes Along with Information on Shirataki Noodles 2Health News:MarketResearch.com Report – Increased Cost of Albumin was Main Factor for Double-Digit Growth of Global Critical Care Market Between 2006 and 2012 2Health News:Catalyst Exhibits Debuts 360 Degree Virtual Tour of St. Jude Medical Trade Show Booth 2Health News:For Stroke Awareness Month, Dr. Andrew Satlin is Raising Awareness of the Connections Between Gum Disease and Stroke and Offers Encino, CA Laser Gum Surgery for Treatment 2Health News:Two-day San Jose Dental Clinic Provides More Than $1.6 Million in Care 2
... N.Y. -- Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange ... disorder, than veterans with no exposure, a new study ... Ajay Varanasi, MD, an endocrinology fellow in ... the study, garnered first prize in the oral presentation ...
... one of the world,s deadliest diseases may lie within ... of Central Florida scientist Debopam Chakrabarti is analyzing more ... sea near Florida,s coast. Some of them could hold ... mosquito-borne illness that kills more than 1 million people ...
... University of Leicester is set to play a vital role ... many families find to be unpleasant. The research team ... has won a substantive award by the National Institute for ... cardiac angiography in relation to near virtual autopsies. ...
... A ... on losing weight. It looks at how ephedrine products affect the body,s energy levels, control ... ... article that examines ephedrine HCL and its effects on weight loss. This article, entitled " ...
... To ... or 202.684.3728. , ... (Vocus) June 28, 2010 -- With the deadline fast approaching for new federal rules implementing ... has sent a letter, also signed by many of his colleagues, to the Departments of ...
... HealthDay Reporter , SUNDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- ... gain greater blood sugar control overnight, even when they have ... The promise of this emerging technology is to free diabetics ... by letting a computer program do the job -- constantly ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:Agent Orange exposure linked to Graves' disease in Vietnam veterans, UB study finds 2Health News:Underwater sponges and worms may hold key to cure for malaria 2Health News:New Article Re-Examines Ephedrine HCL Products For Weight Loss 2Health News:National Council Applauds Rep. Tonko for Seeking Strict Enforcement of Mental Health Parity Law – July 1, 2010 Deadline Approaching 2Health News:Artificial Pancreas Continues to Show Promise 2Health News:Artificial Pancreas Continues to Show Promise 3Health News:Artificial Pancreas Continues to Show Promise 4
(Date:5/22/2013)... N.C. , May 22, 2013 STEPh, ... to announce the launch of their web site ( ... [STEPh Reports].  About STEPh Reports ... in development.  Each STEPh Report assesses ... trials data, projected launch year, company, and specific key ...
(Date:5/22/2013)... INDEPENDENCE, Ohio , May 22, 2013   ... of health screening services announced today the creation of ... Health (MCM) . MCM is a ... services to MCM,s growing list of clients. These important ... in costly chronic conditions earlier. Effective prevention reduces cost ...
(Date:5/22/2013)...  Grifols, ein globales Unternehmen der Gesundheitsbranche ... , Spanien, präsentierte die Ergebnisse einer Studie, ... PROLASTIN©-C (Alpha1-Proteinasehemmer [human]) den Spiegel des Alpha1-Proteins ... Niveau anhebt, das innerhalb des für gesunde ... eine lebensbedrohliche, genetische Erkrankung, bei der der ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Scientific and Technical Evaluation of Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [STEPh, Inc.], Launches New Competitive Intelligence Web Site 2Life Line Screening and MCM Solutions for Better Health Announce New Partnership 2Studie von Grifols zeigt, dass eine höhere Dosis von PROLASTIN-C den Alpha1-PI-Spiegel in Patienten mit AAT-Mangel in den normalen Bereich anhebt 2Studie von Grifols zeigt, dass eine höhere Dosis von PROLASTIN-C den Alpha1-PI-Spiegel in Patienten mit AAT-Mangel in den normalen Bereich anhebt 3Studie von Grifols zeigt, dass eine höhere Dosis von PROLASTIN-C den Alpha1-PI-Spiegel in Patienten mit AAT-Mangel in den normalen Bereich anhebt 4
... Ind., Feb. 14, 2012  Heraeus Kulzer, LLC, the worldwide ... Metal Refining Division donated almost $20,000 to the ... A non-profit organization founded in 2008 with ... Laboratories (NADL), FDLT,s purpose is to advance the profession ...
... 14, 2012 SCOLR Pharma, Inc. (OTCQB: SCLR) announced ... had previously obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to use ... ondansetron, will conduct a bioequivalence trial in Canada.  Both ... Canada have reviewed the protocol for the study and ...
Cached Medicine Technology:Heraeus' Precious Metal Refining Division Donates Nearly $20,000 to Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology 2Heraeus' Precious Metal Refining Division Donates Nearly $20,000 to Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology 3Heraeus' Precious Metal Refining Division Donates Nearly $20,000 to Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology 4SCOLR Pharma's Partner to Commence Bioequivalence Study of Ondansetron 2SCOLR Pharma's Partner to Commence Bioequivalence Study of Ondansetron 3
Pipetman P is a fully adjustable, air-displacement pipette with the selected volume shown on a digital indicator (volumeter). Eight models cover the full range of volumes from 0.2 L to 10 mL....
... and value!, Comfortable feel and ... contoured handle , Finer control while ... action , Completely autoclavable for easy ... for recalibration , Easy-to-read precision micrometer ...
Pipetman P is a fully adjustable, air-displacement pipette with the selected volume shown on a digital indicator (volumeter). Eight models cover the full range of volumes from 0.2 L to 10 mL....
... the specialty areas of cardiac ... care work, it is essential ... practice. Alokas motorized TEE transducer ... Tissue Harmonic Echo technology allows ...
Medicine Products: