Working to Get RNA Interference in Fight Against Cancer

[Guest guest]

Revolution in the fight against cancer & viruses

A recent scientific discovery could herald the introduction of fast,

effective treatments for cancer and viruses.

In a paper published in the May edition of Nature Biotechnology,

scientists describe how they have manipulated a process that occurs

naturally throughout the human body, into a potential therapeutic

tool.

" The process, called RNA interference, blocks the production of

proteins that create cancer and viruses, " said research leader and

Director of the Monash Institute of Medical Research (MIMR),

Professor .

" We've exploited this process by creating short interfering RNA, or

siRNA, that are being developed into drugs to fight viruses and

cancer, " he said. " We've now taken this a step further and worked out

how we can create siRNA with different cellular properties to target

different diseases. "

While previous studies had demonstrated siRNA had the potential to be

a potent anti-cancer and anti-viral agent, Professor had

shown there was a danger siRNA-based drugs could cause a dangerous

inflammatory response.

Professor and his team have now discovered the physical

structure of siRNA are key to creating effective anti-cancer and anti-

viral drugs. This will allow both the development of siRNA-based

drugs to react differently for different diseases.

" By 'tweaking' the structure of siRNA to target specific diseases, we

can dictate whether we want a particular siRNA-based drug to block or

promote an immune response, to increase the effectiveness of the

treatment, " he said.

" While our research is at an early stage, human trials using siRNA

are currently underway in the USA and Europe. We're confident our

have a significant impact on the way siRNA is being developed as a

weapon in the fight against viruses and cancer, " said Professor

.

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