10 new genes discovered that protect cancer cells

[Guest guest]

Duke Researchers Identify 10 Genes Believed To Protect

Cancer Cells

2001 SEP 21 - (NewsRx.com) -- Cancer researchers at

Duke University Medical Center have identified 10

genes believed to have significant roles in allowing

cancerous tumors to thrive under oxygen-deficient

conditions.

The discovery is the first step in what could

eventually lead to new treatments for some of the

deadliest forms of cancer. Led by Dr. J.

Riggins, an assistant professor of pathology and

genetics at Duke, the team sifted through 24,504 genes

expressed in the oxygen-deprived (hypoxic) cells in

glioblastoma multiforme, which is a form of brain

cancer.

The researchers identified 10 genes, some of which can

lead to the creation of new blood vessels that will

connect to oxygen-starved tumors. The findings appear

in the September 5, 2001 issue of the Journal of the

National Cancer Institute. The research was done in

collaboration with the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project

in Washington, D.C., and funded by the National Cancer

Institute and the S. McDonnell Foundation.

" This is a crucial first step in understanding the

complex interactions driving hypoxia response in

tumors, " Riggins said. " The potential for exploiting

these genes is tremendous in terms of turning off the

angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) of

cancer and it may have significant use in other types

of diseases as well, such as stroke and heart disease.

This is a very early, very preliminary discovery. The

gene discovery is the very first step in a very long

road that will lead to something that has clinical

use. "

Previously, scientists thought angiogenesis was

primarily influenced by a small set of genes including

the vascular endothelial growth factor protein (VEGF),

but Riggins suspects that the number of genes involved

is significantly greater.

" All of these genes are turned on to a higher level

than what has classically been studied as a potent

inducer of angiogenesis - VEGF. If any one of these

genes turns out to be as potent or more potent than

VEGF, then this is a fairly significant find. There is

significant investment from the pharmaceutical

industry to try and inhibit the function of this one

particular gene, " he said.

Other scientists had previously identified 10 genes

that respond to hypoxia. The new Duke discovery adds

another 10 to the mix of which three had never

previously been identified, Riggins said.

" These are completely novel genes that no one knows

anything about, " he said. " We are working now to

determine what their functions are beyond being

induced by hypoxia. What specifically are they trying

to do? Blood vessel growth? Are they trying to

maintain pH in the tumor or are they trying to protect

the cell in some other way? "

One of the 10 genes is similar to a gene protein

called angiopoietin-1, Riggins said. It has a

structure that suggests it could be an angiogenesis

promoting gene.

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