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In 'Spontaneous' Liver Cancer, Researcher Sees a Cure
June 20, 2007Adding more good news to last week's announcement that Nexavar® (sorafenib) may be the first effective treatment for advanced liver cancer, researchers at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University have uncovered a new molecular mechanism that may "spontaneously" cause liver cancer.
Part of the well-known TGF-ß tumor suppressor pathway, the molecule disappears in the cells of nearly 90 percent of human hepatocellular cancers, the most common type of liver cancer. Lopa Mishra, MD, professor and vice chair in the department of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, showed that loss of only one copy of the embryonic liver fodrin, or ELF gene, can result in spontaneous development of liver cancer in human cell cultures and in vivo models.
In a paper published online by Oncogene on June 4, Mishra and her team also reported that by reintroducing ELF to the cancer cells, the proteins driving cell division and growth were kept in check. To the research team, this implies that ELF or another inhibitor of downstream cell division and growth proteins could be developed into an effective new therapy.
"We're looking for ways of treating untreatable cancers," explained Mishra. "Pancreatic and liver cancers are the third- and fourth-leading causes of cancer death in the world."
Hepatocellular cancer has a very low 5-year survival rate - less than 5 percent - and the incidence of the disease has risen in the United States over the past several years.
One difficulty in treating liver cancer is the variety of different mutations seen in among patients. The findings about ELF may indicate that it is a critical component that could be targeted to treat 90 percent of patients with this disease. Currently, only 12 percent of patients are eligible for surgery, and very few other treatment options are available.
Mishra's findings on the role of ELF in the development of liver cancer also suggest a method for preventing the disease. Because the cancer forms as a multistep process, beginning with cirrhosis and following a known progression, it's possible that the same ELF molecule can be targeted to pre-cancerous lesions in the liver.
Georgetown University Medical Center
"We're looking for ways of treating untreatable cancers," explained Mishra. "Pancreatic and liver cancers are the third- and fourth-leading causes of cancer death in the world."
Hepatocellular cancer has a very low 5-year survival rate - less than 5 percent - and the incidence of the disease has risen in the United States over the past several years.
One difficulty in treating liver cancer is the variety of different mutations seen in among patients. The findings about ELF may indicate that it is a critical component that could be targeted to treat 90 percent of patients with this disease. Currently, only 12 percent of patients are eligible for surgery, and very few other treatment options are available.
Mishra's findings on the role of ELF in the development of liver cancer also suggest a method for preventing the disease. Because the cancer forms as a multistep process, beginning with cirrhosis and following a known progression, it's possible that the same ELF molecule can be targeted to pre-cancerous lesions in the liver.
Georgetown University Medical Center
Liver Cancer Current Events and Liver Cancer News RSSResearchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.
Toward explaining why hepatitis B hits men harder than women
Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women.
Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis
Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ.
1 disease, not 1 demographic
The Asian continent has nearly four billion people living in 47 different countries, and each of these groups has their own unique set of health issues. But when they come to the United States, they're often lumped into one large demographic: "Asian/Pacific Islander."
Parasite growth hormone pushes human cells to liver cancer
Scientists have found that the human liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) contributes to the development of bile duct (liver) cancer by secreting granulin, a growth hormone that is known to cause uncontrolled growth of cells.
Certain cancers more common among HIV patients than non-HIV patients
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that non-AIDS-defining malignancies such as anal and lung cancer have become more prevalent among HIV-infected patients than non-HIV patients since the introduction of anti-retroviral therapies in the mid-1990s.
Discovery could improve hepatitis C treatment
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers are part of an international team that has discovered a genetic variation that could identify those people infected with hepatitis C who are most likely to benefit from current treatments.
Sorafenib significantly improves the length of time before breast cancer worsens
ne of the first of a series of trials to investigate the use of sorafenib - a targeted anti-cancer drug - for the treatment of advanced breast cancer has found that if it is combined with the chemotherapy drug, capecitabine, it makes a significant difference to the time women live without their disease worsening.
Penn State College of Medicine research isolates liver cancer stem cells prior to tumor formation
Penn State College of Medicine researchers, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Southern California, have taken an important step in understanding the role of stem cells in development of liver cancer.
New biomarker predicts response to hepatitis C treatment
Researchers have identified the first genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, and a single letter of DNA code appears to make a huge difference.
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