 |
|
A new way to treat colon cancer?
October 10, 2006Possible new drug still is three to five years away
Researchers at University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute have discovered a new target for possible future colon cancer treatments - a molecule that is implicated in 85 percent of colon cancer cases.
These findings were published online Oct. 6, 2006, in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
By knocking out - that is, genetically disabling - a molecule called C-Terminal Binding Protein (CTBP) researchers were able to rescue zebrafish from the effects of a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene.
In humans, mutations in this gene long have been known to initiate a series of events that cause colon polyps, which eventually become cancerous. APC mutations play a role in 85 percent of colon cancers. The new findings mean CTBP also is involved in that proportion of colon cancers.
In zebrafish, APC mutations keep the intestine from developing properly. "In essence, knocking out CTPB promotes normal development of the intestine in zebrafish carrying an APC mutation," says David A. Jones, a University of Utah associate professor of oncological sciences and leader of the study.
In normal cells of both humans and zebrafish, the APC gene controls the amount of CTBP present by marking it for destruction. In tumor cells with mutated APC, CTPB is not destroyed; instead it accumulates in the cell.
One function of CTBP is to turn off the process that converts vitamin A into retinoic acid in the cell. Retinoic acid is essential in cell differentiation - the function that determines what type of cell forms and how long it lives. This study observed that in both zebrafish and human tissues with APC mutations, there are high CTBP levels and low capability to produce retinoic acid. In APC-mutated tissues in which CTBP had been "knocked out," retinoic acid production was restored.
Earlier studies in Jones' lab showed that lack of retinoic acid caused zebrafish intestines to form incorrectly, and that adding retinoic acid corrected the problems.
"Knocking out CTBP does exactly the same thing, and the logical conclusion is that it's because CTBP controls retinoic acid production," says Jones. "Since CTBP is a completely new target, we must now look for potential chemical agents that would work to block its actions. That could take three to five years."
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center
By knocking out - that is, genetically disabling - a molecule called C-Terminal Binding Protein (CTBP) researchers were able to rescue zebrafish from the effects of a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene.
In humans, mutations in this gene long have been known to initiate a series of events that cause colon polyps, which eventually become cancerous. APC mutations play a role in 85 percent of colon cancers. The new findings mean CTBP also is involved in that proportion of colon cancers.
In zebrafish, APC mutations keep the intestine from developing properly. "In essence, knocking out CTPB promotes normal development of the intestine in zebrafish carrying an APC mutation," says David A. Jones, a University of Utah associate professor of oncological sciences and leader of the study.
In normal cells of both humans and zebrafish, the APC gene controls the amount of CTBP present by marking it for destruction. In tumor cells with mutated APC, CTPB is not destroyed; instead it accumulates in the cell.
One function of CTBP is to turn off the process that converts vitamin A into retinoic acid in the cell. Retinoic acid is essential in cell differentiation - the function that determines what type of cell forms and how long it lives. This study observed that in both zebrafish and human tissues with APC mutations, there are high CTBP levels and low capability to produce retinoic acid. In APC-mutated tissues in which CTBP had been "knocked out," retinoic acid production was restored.
Earlier studies in Jones' lab showed that lack of retinoic acid caused zebrafish intestines to form incorrectly, and that adding retinoic acid corrected the problems.
"Knocking out CTBP does exactly the same thing, and the logical conclusion is that it's because CTBP controls retinoic acid production," says Jones. "Since CTBP is a completely new target, we must now look for potential chemical agents that would work to block its actions. That could take three to five years."
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health Sciences Center
Colon Cancer Current Events and Colon Cancer News RSSMayo Clinic physicians estimate new, tiny, super-sensitive probe could cut colon polyp removal in half
Based on results of a landmark study, researchers at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus see a future in which virtual biopsies will eliminate the need to remove colon polyps that are not cancerous or will not morph into the disease.
Breakthrough optical technology to assess colon cancer risk, accuracy
Researchers at NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) and Northwestern University have discovered that fiber optic technology can for the very first time effectively measure blood levels in the colonic lining (mucosa) in humans, thus having potential applications for analyzing risk of colon cancer.
Surgical treatment provides new option for some colorectal cancer patients
Research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that a surgical technique not traditionally used in advanced abdominal cancer may be a viable treatment option for some patients previously thought to be untreatable, offering the real possibility of extending survival for those patients.
Black Americans Are At Greater Risk for Colon Polyps
Black Americans have a higher occurrence of colon polyps, according to a new study. This is a significant finding considering the incidence of colon cancer among black men has increased and remained unchanged among black women during the last 20 years.
Cancer-causing gut bacteria exposed
Normal gut bacteria are thought to be involved in colon cancer but the exact mechanisms have remained unknown. Now, scientists from the USA have discovered that a molecule produced by a common gut bacterium activates signalling pathways that are associated with cancer cells.
Brown-Assisted Trial Finds New Colorectal Screening Procedure Is Accurate and Less Invasive
More patients stand to benefit from a comprehensive, less invasive method to accurately detect colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps, a multicenter study involving Brown University and institutions nationwide has found.
Researchers identify cancer-causing gene in many colon cancers
Demonstrating that despite the large number of cancer-causing genes already identified, many more remain to be found, scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have linked a previously unsuspected gene, CDK8, to colon cancer.
'1-hit' event provides new opportunity for colon cancer prevention, say Fox Chase researchers
More than 30 years ago, Alfred Knudson Jr., M.D., Ph.D., revolutionized the field of cancer genetics by showing that a person must lose both their paternal and maternal copies of a particular class of cancer-inhibiting genes, called tumor-suppressor genes, in order to develop cancer.
Early stage colon cancer characterized by inactivation of gatekeeper gene
The absence or inactivation of the RUNX3 gatekeeper gene paves the way for the growth and development of colon cancer, Singapore scientists report in the Sept. issue of the journal Cancer Cell. Previous studies have shown that RUNX3 plays a role in gastric, breast, lung and bladder cancers.
Variation of normal protein could be key to resistance to common cancer drug
Researchers at the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California, San Diego (UC SD) in La Jolla have found evidence explaining why a common chemotherapy drug, cisplatin, may not always work for every cancer patient. They have shown that when a variant version of a key protein that normally causes cell death is active, patients may be resistant to the cancer-killing drug.
More Colon Cancer Current Events and Colon Cancer News Articles
 | The Colon Cancer Survivors' Guide, Second Edition: Living Stronger, Longer by Curtis Pesmen Based on an award-winning series of Esquire magazine articles on his battle with colon cancer, Pesmen shows how a person stops becomng a patient and starts becoming a survivor. Incluses a chorus of survivors' voices, and casts light on the physical, emotional and psychological needs of those striving to move forward confidently with their lives. New, revised second edition updates treatments and... |
 | Colon Cancer: Current And Emerging Trends In Detection And Treatment (Cancer and Modern Science) by Mark, M.D. Stokes |
 | Why Die of Colon Cancer? by Francis G., M.D. Mackey Cancer of the colon is the second most common cause of cancer death among men and women in North America. However, almost nobody would die of this kind of cancer if they had appropriate colon examinations beginning at age 50. Francis G. Mackey, M.D., a retired cardiologist who has been fighting his own battle with colon cancer for the last two years, has written Why Die of Colon Cancer ?... |
 | American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Caner by American Cancer Society Don't die of embarrassment--get informed about colorectal cancer Although colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women, you may be unaware of your risk and don't know what you can do to prevent this serious disease. You may be too embarrassed to ask your doctor about changes in your bowel habits or get screened for colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society's Complete... |
 | Understanding Colon Cancer by A. Richard, M.D., F.A.C.P. Adrouny For decades, while other cancers grabbed the headlines, colorectal cancer was quietly ignored. The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in the general population is 2.5 to 5 percent. This means that twenty-five to fifty out of one thousand people will be stricken by this disease. Although data show that in America colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have been waning in recent decades,... |
 | Living With Colon Cancer: Beating the Odds by Eliza Wood Livingston Despite the efforts of Katie Couric to draw attention to the importance of colonoscopy screening for the detection of colon cancer, this cancer still does not receive the publicity devoted to breast, lung, and prostate cancer. Yet colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the world and is the second leading cause of death from cancer next to lung cancer. As a result, colon cancer... |
 | Colon Cancer Answers by Dr. Bruce A. Feinberg One of the greatest failures of public health practices and policy in America is the mismanagement of colon cancer. Despite the fact that colon cancer is 90 percent preventable through safe, accessible, cost-effective screening tests, this terrible disease remains the second leading cause of cancer death. Each year, more than 150,000 Americans will die -- an unnecessary and costly human... |
 | What To Do If You Get Colon Cancer: A Specialist Helps You Take Charge and Make Informed Choices by Paul Miskovitz, Marian Betancourt From initial diagnosis to the latest treatments, this encouraging, authoritative guide explores everything you need to know to make informed choices about colon cancer care. You'll learn how colon cancer develops, what to expect from diagnostic tests, and how to choose the best doctors and treatment centers. Here's invaluable information on: Which treatment options work best for different phases... |
 | The Intelligent Patient Guide to Colorectal Cancer: Information, risk, prevention, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, stage, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, prognosis, treatment of/for colon rectal cancer. by Michael E. Pezim, David A. Owen The Intelligent Patient Guide book series was created in 1989 by a group of American and Canadian-trained physicians frustrated by the lack of quality information available for their cancer patients. The books became bestsellers, and their appeal has grown despite the development of the Internet. Whereas the Internet is an explosion of medical information that can confuse and intimidate, these... |
 | What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) Colorectal Cancer: New Tests, New Treatments, New Hope (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About...) by Mark Bennett Pochapin The latest edition in the bestselling What Your Doctor May Not Tell You series explodes the myths and misconceptions about the third most common-and second most deadly-form of cancer in the United States. Over 50,000 men and women die from colorectal cancer each year-a particularly alarming statistic since it is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. In fact, it is estimated that... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |