Cell Division Regulated By Cancer-Linked FAM190A Gene
7/08/2013
Johns Hopkins cancer scientists have discovered that a little-Described gene known as FAM190A plays a subtle but critical role in regulating the normal cell division process known as mitosis, and the scientists' research suggests that mutations in the gene may contribute to commonly found chromosomal instability in cancer...
Women Feel More Satisfied If They Discuss Genetic Cancer Risk With Kids
7/07/2013
New research reveals that most mothers who undergo genetic testing to check for cancer risk (BRCA1/2 testing) end up discussing the test results with their children. The finding comes from a study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, conducted at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center...
MiR-22 Plays A Key Role In Both Breast Cancer And Blood Cancer
7/07/2013
A mere 25 years ago, noncoding RNAs were considered nothing more than "background noise" in the overall genomic landscape. Now, two new studies reveal that one of these tiny noncoding molecules - microRNA-22 - plays an outsized role in two types of cancer...
Gene Identified That Controls Aggressiveness In Breast Cancer Cells
7/06/2013
In a discovery that sheds new light on the aggressiveness of certain breast cancers, Whitehead Institute researchers have identified a transcription factor, known as ZEB1, that is capable of converting non-aggressive basal-type cancer cells into highly malignant, tumor-forming cancer stem cells (CSCs)...
Activated Blood Platelets Enable Cancer Cells To Penetrate Blood Vessels
7/06/2013
Malignant tumours often spread to remote areas of the body. In the majority of cases, metastases formation develops via the blood vascular system. The blood platelets thereby provide invaluable help to the tumour cells in penetrating new organs...
Cancer Spread Aided By Blood Platelets That "Open Doors"
7/05/2013
Scientists in Germany believe they have found the mechanism that cancer cells use to coax blood platelets to "open doors" in blood vessel walls so they can pass through and get into new organs. Once cancer spreads from the primary tumor to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis, the prognosis worsens...
Immunotherapy Is Beginning To Have A Major Impact For Patients With Cancer And Infectious Diseases
7/05/2013
The idea of fighting infections and even cancers by inducing protective immune responses may now be a step closer to clinical practice. Researchers have removed a major obstacle to widespread use of so-called adoptive transfer therapy, in which a patient receives "killer" immune cells targeting a disease agent...
Discussing The Results Of Cancer Genetic Testing With Offspring
7/05/2013
Mothers commonly talk to their children about genetic test results even if they test positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, which sharply increases a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer...
Certain men with metastatic prostate cancer have advantages in comparison with watchful waiting Abiraterone acetate (abiraterone for short, trade name: Zytiga) has been approved in Germany since December 2012 for men with metastatic prostate cancer that is not responsive to hormone blockade, who only have mild symptoms or so far none at all, and in whom chemotherapy is not yet indicated...
Changes In Hyaluronan Metabolism Key In Adaptation Of Keratinocytes To Radiation Injury
7/05/2013
The outermost layer of skin, the epidermi,s is crucial in forming a permeability barrier and protection against various environmental agents. Thus, investigating the biology of its most important cell type, the keratinocyte, is key to understanding the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation in skin, and helps us design effective means of protection against excessive exposure...