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A recent study found that the epigenetic marker 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) plays a vital role in the selective expression of genes, particularly in healthy brain cells. The study also discovered that changes in 5hmC distribution are associated with gene silencing and may contribute to cancer development.

Bioelectric signals can be used to detect early cancer

Biologists at Tufts University have identified a unique bioelectric signal in cells that are likely to develop into tumors, which they can use to detect early cancer. By manipulating the electrical charge across cells' membranes, they can lower the incidence of cancerous cells and suppress abnormal cell growth.

SourceTufts University·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateFeb 1, 2013

Breast cancer cells enticed to spread by 'tumorous environment' as well as genetic changes

Researchers discover that breast cancer cells' ability to spread is influenced by the tumor's protein-rich environment as much as genetic changes within the cells. The study reveals that a specific molecular signal in the protein meshwork can initiate metastasis to distant sites, while a healthy environment can even coax healthy cells ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 22, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Oct. 15, 2012

Researchers discovered that interleukin-36 may be a useful therapeutic target in the treatment of psoriasis, finding that mice lacking this protein were protected from immune-mediated skin inflammation. Additionally, studies on hypertension revealed that endoplasmic reticulum stress in brain cells contributes to high blood pressure, an...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 15, 2012

Melanoma - The wolf in sheep's clothing

Melanoma cells can temporarily alter their external characteristics to become invisible to defense cells, allowing them to evade destruction. This knowledge forms an important foundation for improving combination therapies and may also be relevant to treatment with inhibitors of signal transmission in tumor cells.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateOct 10, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Sept. 4, 2012

Ovarian cancer cells activate the HOXA9 gene to create an environment that supports tumor growth. Researchers also found blocking TGF-β expression in ovarian cancer cells significantly reduced tumor growth. Additionally, anti-CTLA therapy and inflammation-reversing treatments may hold promise for treating ovarian cancer and alcoholic l...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 4, 2012

Precise and persistent cell sabotage

The researchers successfully packaged siRNA in a hydrogel complex that can be injected into target tissues, allowing for prolonged control over cell behavior. The technology has the potential to guide stem cells to grow into desired cell types, starve tumors by blocking blood vessel growth, and induce cancer cell death.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateAug 27, 2012

Fighting cancer with the immune system

A recent study found that targeting the JAK1 and JAK2 tyrosine kinase pathways can increase tumor cell susceptibility to natural killer cell-mediated death. Pharmacological inhibition of these pathways was shown to enhance tumor cell killing, making them a promising target for cancer therapy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 11, 2012

Researchers at IRB Barcelona uncover new clues about the origin of cancer

Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified specific combinations of errors in cell integrity processes as crucial to initiating tumors. The study reveals that genomic instability alone is not sufficient for tumor development and highlights the need for further investigation into cancer's complex origins.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 6, 2012

Scientists aim to kill lung tumors

Researchers have identified a molecule, PDE4, that plays a key role in regulating the division of tumor cells and blood vessel growth in lung cancer. By blocking PDE4, they were able to significantly reduce tumor growth in laboratory experiments and mouse models.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalOncogene·DateMay 4, 2012

Research yields new clues to how brain cancer cells migrate and invade

Researchers have discovered that the NKCC1 protein may hold key to understanding how glioblastoma, the deadliest type of brain cancer, moves and invades healthy brain tissue. Blocking NKCC1 with a cheap FDA-approved drug slows movement of glioblastoma cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treat this aggressive cancer.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 1, 2012

New findings in breast cancer

A recent study published in PNAS contradicts the prevailing belief that basal-like cells are responsible for invasive tumors. Luminal-like cells, previously thought to lack stem cell properties, have been found to be highly tumorigenic and capable of generating larger tumors than their basal-like counterparts.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2012