Scientists from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Centre have found links between some of the genetic variations in micro-RNA processing pathways and binding sites, and the risk and severance of Ovarian Cancer. Micro-RNA processing pathways are responsible for the production of micro-RNA – which plays a large part in regulation of genes.
The scientists found that the more unfavourable genetic variations a woman possessed, the more likely she was to contract Ovarian cancer, and the shorter her survival time. The median survival time - from 151 months for women with fewer unfavourable variations, to 24 months for the most identified unfavourable genetic variations, was tested on women in a control (healthy) group and a group of women who had Ovarian cancer. The scientists also found that these genetic variations could help to predict how the woman would respond to different types of therapies, such as chemotherapy.
The group analyzed 219 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and found that certain SNPs could be attributed to overall risk of cancer and the length of survival time. In the future, these types of predictions could become an integral part of cancer treatment and research.
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "Genetic Variations In MiRNA Processing Pathway And Binding Sites Help Predict Ovarian Cancer Risk." ScienceDaily 19 April 2009. 23 April 2009
For the full article, visit http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419170032.htm.
