 |
|
Stopping germs from ganging up on humans
November 20, 2008Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics, according to new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.
John W. Pepper proposes a new strategy in the arms race between humans and germs-- targeting the teamwork within gangs of germs.
Most drugs used to fight infections kill the vulnerable disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, but the resistant ones survive. The next generation will all carry the resistance to the drug.
"We know that the pathogen is causing the disease. The obvious solution is to kill the pathogen. It makes perfect sense, and that's what we've always done," said Pepper, a UA assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "But there's one big flaw with that -- and that is the evolution of resistance."
Pepper's mathematical models show it takes longer for a group of cells to develop resistance to drugs that attack the teamwork factors than for individual cells to become resistant to a traditional antibiotic.
He advocates developing drugs that attack the pathogens' methods and resources for cooperation. Pepper said once the teamwork is disrupted, the immune system can combat any remaining infection.
He said this new approach will work against "old enemies and some new ones" that are becoming drug resistant, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA), HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, avian influenza and cancer.
Pepper is also a member of UA's BIO5 Institute and an external professor at the Sante Fe Institute in New Mexico. His paper, "Defeating Pathogen Drug Resistance: Guidance from Evolutionary Theory," is scheduled for publication in the December issue of the journal Evolution.
Pepper began investigating cooperation by studying parrots and dolphins. Now he studies cooperation among individual cells.
Most cells such as a bacterium produce materials that ensure their own survival and maintain infections by helping both themselves and their fellows.
For pathogens, there's strength in numbers. As they form groups, they become a greater threat.
For example, MRSA produce more than 50 resources essential for the group.
Where others may see an unconquerable defense, Pepper sees 50 opportunities.
The number and type of materials produced within a gang of pathogens varies. However, if one material is eliminated, none of the cells will survive. Neither will the infection.
He is currently collaborating with cancer biologists to attack chemicals that allow cancer cells to gang up on normal cells.
One type of chemical, the angiogenesis factor, is secreted by cancerous cells to stimulate the growth of blood vessels into tumors. Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the tumor.
Some doctors currently use angiogenesis blockers, such as the anti-cancer drug Avastin, to inhibit the signal. Without blood vessels, tumors suffocate and starve.
As opposed to toxic drugs that poison and kill cancer cells, Pepper said these new types of anti-cancer drugs will stay potent longer.
"The basic point I'm making is in order to save the patient, we don't have to have a drug that kills the cancer cells," Pepper said.
If drug development continues to focus on killing individual cells, he said, "We're always going to keep running on the same treadmill.
"We're going to be in this situation where we desperately need a new antibiotic by tomorrow, or maybe by yesterday," Pepper said. "That's not going to be a temporary emergency -- it's going to be a permanent emergency, unless we take a new approach."
University of Arizona
"We know that the pathogen is causing the disease. The obvious solution is to kill the pathogen. It makes perfect sense, and that's what we've always done," said Pepper, a UA assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. "But there's one big flaw with that -- and that is the evolution of resistance."
Pepper's mathematical models show it takes longer for a group of cells to develop resistance to drugs that attack the teamwork factors than for individual cells to become resistant to a traditional antibiotic.
He advocates developing drugs that attack the pathogens' methods and resources for cooperation. Pepper said once the teamwork is disrupted, the immune system can combat any remaining infection.
He said this new approach will work against "old enemies and some new ones" that are becoming drug resistant, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA), HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, avian influenza and cancer.
Pepper is also a member of UA's BIO5 Institute and an external professor at the Sante Fe Institute in New Mexico. His paper, "Defeating Pathogen Drug Resistance: Guidance from Evolutionary Theory," is scheduled for publication in the December issue of the journal Evolution.
Pepper began investigating cooperation by studying parrots and dolphins. Now he studies cooperation among individual cells.
Most cells such as a bacterium produce materials that ensure their own survival and maintain infections by helping both themselves and their fellows.
For pathogens, there's strength in numbers. As they form groups, they become a greater threat.
For example, MRSA produce more than 50 resources essential for the group.
Where others may see an unconquerable defense, Pepper sees 50 opportunities.
The number and type of materials produced within a gang of pathogens varies. However, if one material is eliminated, none of the cells will survive. Neither will the infection.
He is currently collaborating with cancer biologists to attack chemicals that allow cancer cells to gang up on normal cells.
One type of chemical, the angiogenesis factor, is secreted by cancerous cells to stimulate the growth of blood vessels into tumors. Blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the tumor.
Some doctors currently use angiogenesis blockers, such as the anti-cancer drug Avastin, to inhibit the signal. Without blood vessels, tumors suffocate and starve.
As opposed to toxic drugs that poison and kill cancer cells, Pepper said these new types of anti-cancer drugs will stay potent longer.
"The basic point I'm making is in order to save the patient, we don't have to have a drug that kills the cancer cells," Pepper said.
If drug development continues to focus on killing individual cells, he said, "We're always going to keep running on the same treadmill.
"We're going to be in this situation where we desperately need a new antibiotic by tomorrow, or maybe by yesterday," Pepper said. "That's not going to be a temporary emergency -- it's going to be a permanent emergency, unless we take a new approach."
University of Arizona
Cancer Cells Current Events and Cancer Cells 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.
Cancer metabolism discovery uncovers new role of IDH1 gene mutation in brain cancer
Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene.
New cancer target for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered a molecular mechanism that may prove to be a powerful target for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, or white blood cells.
Common pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth
Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Cancers' Sweet Tooth May Be Weakness
The pedal-to-the-metal signals driving the growth of several types of cancer cells lead to a common switch governing the use of glucose, researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered.
UCLA researchers create 'fly paper' to capture circulating cancer cells
Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor.
Paradoxical protein might prevent cancer
One difficulty with fighting cancer cells is that they are similar in many respects to the body's stem cells. By focusing on the differences, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a new way of tackling colon cancer. The study is presented in the prestigious journal Cell.
Cornell researchers identify a weak link in cancer cell armor
The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves.
Aileron collaborates study in Nature: Stapled peptides inhibit Notch1 transcription factor
This research validates the potential for Stapled Peptides to modulate key intracellular biological targets, such as transcription factors, that have not been addressable with current small molecule or biologic drug modalities.
Researchers 'notch' a victory toward new kind of cancer drug
Scientists have devised an innovative way to disarm a key protein considered to be "undruggable," meaning that all previous efforts to develop a drug against it have failed.
More Cancer Cells Current Events and Cancer Cells News Articles
 |
One Renegade Cell: The Quest For The Origin Of Cancer (Science Masters) by Robert A. Weinberg (Author) For everyone whose life has been touched by cancer, One Renegade Cell tells the story of the search for the ultimate causes of this dreaded disease. "One Renegade Cell…offers a breathtaking picture, both wonderful and frightening, of the fantastic intricacy of aberrant cellular functioning." -New York Times "Part primer, part history and part meditation. [One Renegade Cell] succeeds on all counts." -Wall Street Journal One of the leading cancer researchers in the world, Robert A. Weinberg is perfectly suited to describe the search for cancer's origins from the early days of this century to the present. Presuming little knowledge of biology, he tells how a cancer-causing virus was first discovered in 1909, how the correlation was made between chemical ... |
 |
Destroying Cancer Cells Using Your Subconscious Mind a Guided Imagery and Subliminal program Starring: Steve Murray Directed By: Steve Murray The DVD has two separate "Destroying Cancer Cells" self-help programs: A Guided Imagery and a Subliminal program. Both have easy-to-follow directions and can be used before, during, and after cancer treatments. Guided Imagery is the language of the mind. It is a way of communicating with parts of the body that cannot speak in words. You will learn this language in the DVD. Research has shown Guided Imagery is a powerful self-help tool. The Guided Imagery program starts with a relaxation technique, then guides you through ten imagery segments. Subliminal Messages have been used for years by advertisers to reprogram and change one s subconscious mind about their products. With this DVD, you will use Subliminal Message s for your benefit. During the subliminal program all you have to do is... |
 |
Breast Cancer Awareness Cell Phone Case - Pink by Vertik Breast Cancer Awareness Cell Phone Case - Pink Pink Ribbon Embossed Vertik Universal Case. Constructed of Durable Impact resistant material. Fits These Model Numbers: Audiovox CDM-8500, CDM-8600, CDM-8615, CDM-8900, CDM-8910, Flasher_V7, PM-8920, Vox_8610, Kyocera 5135, KX1_SoHo, KX1v, S-14_OPAL, LG 1010, C1300, C1300i, C1500, C2000, G4010_G4011, G4015, G4050, L1150, L1200, L1400, L1400i, LX1200, VI125, VX 1, VX 10, VX3100, VX3100L, VX3200, VX4400, VX4500, VX4600, VX6000, VX6100, Motorola A840, E310, E815, T720c, T720i, T721, T722i, T725e, T730, T731c, V170, V173, V180, V186, V188, V190, V220, V260, V262, V265, V266, V276, V300, V330, V360, V400, V505, V540, V551, V555, V557, V600, V60c, V60g, V60i, V60t, V60ti, V60v, V60x, V66, V710, V810, Nokia 3155i, 6101, 6102, 6255i, 6256i,... |
 |
Cancer Research / Testing Cells Directed By: Rex Barnett |
|
Cancer and the Immune System : Cell-to-Cell Communication, An Introduction (31 minute colour VHS video) (NTSC video) by Spektrum Videothek Produced in Germany. In English. "This documentary focuses on... findings in immunilogical research." | |
 |
Fight Against Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer Sweatshirt XX-Large White by Shop Zeus |
 |
Cell Phone Strap - Breast Cancer Support Pink Ribbon - 8" by Trutex |
![Dissolving & Destroying Cancer Cells "A Guided Imagery Program" [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41JQAV3VE9L._SL160_.jpg) |
Dissolving & Destroying Cancer Cells "A Guided Imagery Program" [VHS] Also With: steve murray (Primary Contributor) Steve Murray the author of "Cancer Guided Imagery Program for Radiation, Chemotherapy, Surgery and Recovery" now has a series of DVDs and Videos that will help you: Tap into the Healing Power of the Body and Mind Connection This program when used in conjunction with your prescribed medical treatment shows you how to do just that. With easy to understand explanations and directions, you will be able to start a Cancer Guided Imagery Program right away. Guided Imagery is the language of the mind. It is a way of communicating with parts of ourselves that cannot speak in words. You will use this language in the program. Program Includes: -Directions on how to do program-Guided relaxation and ten Cancer Guided Imagery segments-Soothing music, calm peaceful images- Verbal and... |
 |
Antioxidant + Resveratrol , (60 Capltes/bottle) This product provides nutritional support to defend against the effects of free radicals. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin. Resvertraol works by binding to a class of proteins called sirtuins, which regulate the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response. Resveratrol may also have powerful and diverse effects on the heart and blood vessels. by Vitamore Free-radicals (also called oxidants) are highly unstable molecules that can damage cell membranes. This may start a process that leads to several chronic diseases and may be involved with many aspects of aging. Free radicals are produced in the body during normal cell metabolism, and may also be caused by other environmental and lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking, polution, etc. This product provides nutritional support to defend against the effects of free radicals using the antioxidant vitamins of C and E and the trace elements of Zinc and Selenium. The key ingredient is the flavonoid-rich Resveratrol. Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol called a phytoalexin. Resvertraol works by binding to a class of proteins called sirtuins, which regulate the enzymes that can stimulate... |
 |
Molecular Biology of Cancer: Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics by Lauren Pecorino (Author) Many of the cells in our body undergo tightly regulated replication to enable growth to occur and to ensure that damaged or worn out tissues are replaced. Regulation is mediated via many different mechanisms. It is when these mechanisms fail, and regulation is lost, that cancer can result. Recent advances in molecular cell biology have greatly expanded our understanding of the processes and mechanisms which underpin the regulation of cell replication, and what is happening at the molecular level when these fail. Now in its second edition, The Molecular Biology of Cancer: Mechanisms, Targets, and Therapeutics gives a fresh approach to the study of the molecular basis of cancer. Written with the undergraduate student in mind, Lauren Pecorino focuses on how our understanding of the... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |