|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK, Mar 07 (Reuters Health) - The identification of four genes overproduced by brain tumors may lead to a greater understanding of the causes of brain cancer and to better brain tumor diagnosis and treatments.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 17,200 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be diagnosed during 2001 in the United States, and that more than 13,000 people will die from these malignant tumors.
Still, little is known about the genetic changes in two of the three most common forms of brain cancer--glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and oligodendroglioma, according to Dr. Julia Ljubimova from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, and associates.
"Our goal is to find which genes are expressed exclusively in tumors so that we can eventually devise new strategies to block those genes and prevent tumor growth," Ljubimova said in a statement released by Cedars-Sinai.
The investigators, therefore, used a sophisticated technique known as gene array analysis to measure simultaneously the expression of more than 18,000 genes in brain tumors and surrounding brain tissues.
More than 100 genes were more active in tumors than in the surrounding tissues, the authors report in the February issue of the International Journal of Oncology, and more than 200 genes were less active in tumors.
By focusing on the 11 most active genes in the brain tumors, the researchers confirmed the overactivity of four of them--two known and two unknown genes.
Ljubimova told Reuters Health that she expects these four genes to be included in future "gene chips" that might be used to diagnose specific forms of brain cancer.
"The finding of all these new tumor-specific targets for potential treatment will improve the response to treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy) and help design the future drug combinations aimed at overcoming tumor cell resistance to treatment," Ljubimova explained. She added that these findings would also contribute to identifying the genes responsible for the development of brain cancers.
SOURCE: International Journal of Oncology 2001;18:287-295.
| Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources |
|
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments. Last updated: 08 March 2001 |