Researchers at Duke University and UC Irvine identify Kenpaullone, a cancer drug, as an effective analgesic for chronic and challenging-to-treat pain. The compound enhances Kcc2 gene expression, which resets maladaptive genetic switches in neurons, leading to pain signal silencing.
Brazilian researchers analyze gene expression in medulloblastoma tumors from patients, finding all subtypes express stem cell markers BMI1 and CD133. They develop a novel combination therapy using epigenetic compound HDAC inhibitor to reduce tumor cell viability and cancer stem cell formation.
Researchers developed compounds that modify DNA packing in Ewing sarcoma cells, inducing chromatic relaxation and reducing expression of oncogenes. This approach aims to promote neural differentiation and inhibit tumor growth, offering new potential treatment strategies for childhood cancer.
Researchers have identified neurotrophin signaling proteins as promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers for childhood cancers. These proteins, including BDNF and NGF, can inhibit tumor growth and make cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy, offering new hope for improved treatment outcomes.
A study published in Molecular Neurobiology found that sodium butyrate reduces survival of cultured medulloblastoma cells and enhances expression of markers for a mature neuronal phenotype. This suggests the compound may promote cell death and favor maturation towards less malignant-prone phenotypes.