How to age a tumor

The Id1 gene, usually active exclusively during embryonic development, is reactivated in the cells of many solid (localized) tumors and carcinomas (malignant neoplasms of epithelial origin). In the case of breast cancer (originally the term "carcinoma" was called it), the Id1 gene is activated only in cells of the most aggressive and metastatic types of tumors. Such tumors, as a rule, do not express receptors for the female sex hormone estrogen and, therefore, do not respond to tamoxifen (Tamoxifen) – the most effective drug for the treatment of breast cancer today.

The discovery of scientists from the Sydney Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the University of California increases the chances of a cure for women with this form of breast cancer, which today is practically untreatable.

According to one of the leaders of the study, Dr. Alex Swarbrick, it was enough to ask the right question about the right gene. By artificially activating the Id1 protein in the mammary glands of mice, scientists have demonstrated that the Id1 gene is indeed involved in the formation of tumors and that breast tumors with high levels of expression of this gene are characterized by high aggressiveness and a tendency to metastasis.

They also found that genetic inactivation of the Id1 gene in cells of an already formed tumor significantly prolongs the life of mice compared to animals with preserved expression of this gene in tumors. Moreover, in 40% of animals, inactivation of the Id1 gene led to the complete disappearance of tumors.

The most unexpected was the fact that it was not the death of cancer cells that led to the disappearance of tumors, but their physiological aging – a complete loss of the ability to divide.

Many tumors are very difficult to destroy for the reason that their formation is based on mutations of genes involved in the processes of cell death. The authors believe that instead of trying to kill cancer cells, it is enough, by inactivating the Id1 gene or other genes that control the processes of cellular aging, to introduce them into the terminal stage and leave them at the mercy of the immune system.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily

27.03.2008