Technology development now allows research into physical underpinnings of growth and spread of cancer. US. National Cancer Institute has awarded $US14.8m to new John Hopkins Engineering Oncology Center for NanoBioTechnology, to research, over five years, how physical sciences play a role in the way cancer spreads, commonly called metastasis.
This may seem like re-inventing old research, but the now availability of high investigative technology to re-examine how and what causes cancer to mutate, to examine closer activity of what makes Cancer tick.
Over the next five years, theoretical physicists, mathematicians, chemists and medical engineers will be involved in the study of cancer.
It will also involve non-traditional approaches to cancer research, by studying the physical laws and principles of cancer, coding, recoding, transfer and translation in cancer, and ways to deconvolution of cancer's complexity.
The new NanoBioTechnology center will draw on John Hopkins researchers with diverse expertise to study the role of physical forces involved in the development and spread of cancer. Acknowledgment medicalnewstoday.com Geoff
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Alcohol consumption flavors Tumor Cells
Alcohol consumption has long been linked to cancer development in the body, but the underlying mechanism has never been made clear.
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, have identified a cellular pathway that may explain the alcohol link with cancer.
The study, published in current issue of "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research", found that alcohol stimulates a body transition, called epithelial to mesenchymal, allowing run of the mill cancer cells to move into a more aggressive pattern, to speed throughout the body.
"Our data shows alcohol turns on certain signals inside a cell that are involved in this transition" said Chris Forsyth, PhD. Assist.Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, Rush University.
Cancer cells become dangerous when they metastasize, and while surgery can remove a tumor, aggressive tumor cells invade tissue throughout the body and take over, said Forsyth. "If we can thwart this transition, we can limit cancer's toll", he concluded.
A factor in the transition, called Snail, controls the cell transition of epithelial to mesenchymal, inducing formation of multiple tumors.
Laboratory tests show alcohol activated both these and other biochemical characteristics of the cell transition; that the alcohol-treated cells had lost their tight junctions with adjacent cells, a preparation for migrating, as metastatic cells, do.
Biomarkers were activated in normal interested cells, treated with alcohol, suggesting alcohol not only worsens the profile of existing cancer cells, but may also initiate cancer activity by stimulating cells in the transitional process. Acknowledge medicalnewstoday.com Geoff.
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, have identified a cellular pathway that may explain the alcohol link with cancer.
The study, published in current issue of "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research", found that alcohol stimulates a body transition, called epithelial to mesenchymal, allowing run of the mill cancer cells to move into a more aggressive pattern, to speed throughout the body.
"Our data shows alcohol turns on certain signals inside a cell that are involved in this transition" said Chris Forsyth, PhD. Assist.Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry, Rush University.
Cancer cells become dangerous when they metastasize, and while surgery can remove a tumor, aggressive tumor cells invade tissue throughout the body and take over, said Forsyth. "If we can thwart this transition, we can limit cancer's toll", he concluded.
A factor in the transition, called Snail, controls the cell transition of epithelial to mesenchymal, inducing formation of multiple tumors.
Laboratory tests show alcohol activated both these and other biochemical characteristics of the cell transition; that the alcohol-treated cells had lost their tight junctions with adjacent cells, a preparation for migrating, as metastatic cells, do.
Biomarkers were activated in normal interested cells, treated with alcohol, suggesting alcohol not only worsens the profile of existing cancer cells, but may also initiate cancer activity by stimulating cells in the transitional process. Acknowledge medicalnewstoday.com Geoff.
$2.95M Funding to aid Breast Reconstruction
Victorian (Australia) Researchers will benefit from $2.95m investment by State Government, under Premier John Brumby, to develop a new alternative to silicon for breast reconstruction.
Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the project was important in the treatment and recovery of women with breast cancer.
Researchers, looking for an alternative to silicon, hope to develop a new customised, biogradable chamber, to match shape of woman's natural breast, within which the permanent fat found in the breast can be grown.
A new product, developed as Myogel, a muscle-derived tissue, that induces fat tissue production, providing a more natural and safer way of breast reconstruction.
Mr.Jennings said breast cancer survivors can experience a range difficulties, ranging from physical limitations to psychosocial problems.
Self-esteem is greatly enhanced through breast reconstruction; women feeling better about their bodies, and an important factor in their recovery, he concluded.
Acknowlegement medicalnewstoday.com Geoff
Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the project was important in the treatment and recovery of women with breast cancer.
Researchers, looking for an alternative to silicon, hope to develop a new customised, biogradable chamber, to match shape of woman's natural breast, within which the permanent fat found in the breast can be grown.
A new product, developed as Myogel, a muscle-derived tissue, that induces fat tissue production, providing a more natural and safer way of breast reconstruction.
Mr.Jennings said breast cancer survivors can experience a range difficulties, ranging from physical limitations to psychosocial problems.
Self-esteem is greatly enhanced through breast reconstruction; women feeling better about their bodies, and an important factor in their recovery, he concluded.
Acknowlegement medicalnewstoday.com Geoff
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
200 support Brisbrain&Spine Fund Walk
Brisbrain&Spine Research Foundation Fund Walk attracted 200 people for today's Fund Walk around New Farm park's attractive settings, in support of International Brain Tumor Alliance week, Nov.1 to 7, 2009. After the Walk all enjoyed a bbq breakfast.Just before setting out on their 4km walk from CityCat terminal and back, principal Dr.David Walker (pictured) thanked the many supporters who had given their time and contributions to the function, adding that the main purpose of the Fund Walk was "for those not here today"; to see the establishment of a new Research Foundation, to research developments and new treatments to help those who suffer with Meningiomas.
Other principals attending the Foundation Launch were Drs. Terry Coyne and Richard Kahler and their families, together with Office staff. Coordinating the event was Vivien Biggs, Clinical Nursing, and Kate McBain, Marketing Manager.
Donations can still be forwarded to Brizbrain&Spine Research Foundation by contacting Kate McBain, 07 3883 2500 or katem@brizbrain.com.au. Geoff.
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