USING GENETICS TO CURE CANCER

Earlier this month, the first-ever proposed cure for cancer was published in the ‘Cancer Research’ journal in the United Kingdom. Dr Lesley Walker, a PhD in Immunology, said in a press release that the new treatment, which works using the principles of genetics, was a breakthrough in the challenging oncology field and could soon be offered as a treatment method for human patients. Developed by Dr Andreas Schatzlein, of the School of Pharmacy in London, the treatment has just concluded its testing phases on mice subjects with heartening success. So how does it work?

Stable, laboratory-developed nano-particles, measuring 33-286nm in length, are injected directly into the patient. Cancer-specific, the particles diffuse through the cell membrane, where they begin to produce proteins that are toxic only to cancerous cells. With the potential to be offered as an alternative to Chemotherapy, it targets cancer in the same way, only without the side-effect of normal cell death. Screening tests on the mice used in the trial showed that the nano-particles did not affect any non-cancerous cells and, with similar tests used for human patients, all scientists involved are optimistic about the potential of the treatment.

Is it possible that, before long, the indomitable Cancer could be cured by a mere injection? Genetics says, ‘yes’.

For More Information -

Original Scientific Report for Trial:
“Cancer-Specific Transgene Expression Mediated by Systemic Injection of Nanoparticles” by Schatzlein et al. “Cancer Research” journal. 3rd March, 2009. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-08-2657
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/0008-5472.CAN-08-2657v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author2=Schatzlein&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Press Release/News Article:
“Nano-Particles Loaded With Anti-Tumour Genes Zap Cancer Cells” by Catharine Paddock, PhD. Medical News Today. 11th March, 2009.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/141924.php

Cancer Research UK: http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressreleases/2009/march/nano-treatments-target-cancer

Image: www.biotech-weblog.com

By J. Tilling (21st March, 2009)