Although One of two people Some type of cancer will develop of their lifetime, a disease we still don't know much about. But due to continued research efforts, we proceed to learn more in regards to the biology of cancer. One of those recent discoveries may change our understanding. How does cancer develop?.
But before we talk in regards to the latest discovery, let's first discuss the classic theory that tries to clarify why normal cells turn out to be cancer cells. This theory states that DNA mutations are the first reason behind cancer.
It is well-known that as we age, certain lifestyle and environmental aspects (reminiscent of smoking and UV radiation) cause random DNA mutations (also called genetic mutations) in our cells. Most genetic changes trigger cell death or don't have any consequences. However, just a few mutations favor cell survival. If enough “life-extending” DNA mutations occur in a cell, the cell will turn out to be virtually immortal – starting a series of uncontrolled replications, resulting in cancer. This theory has been confirmed. Extensive empirical evidence.
However, this theory overestimates changes in DNA, which are irreversible. And often Targeting is difficult with drugs. So if cancer is just attributable to genetic mutations, our ability to kill cancer cells could also be limited.
Interestingly, there are other theories about how cancer starts. If these theories are also correct, we may develop higher ways to stop and treat cancer.
One of those latest theories has recently been tested by researchers. Nature Publications. The study was conducted in fruit flies (which share 75 percent jeans related to human diseases). The researchers used flies to analyze whether cancer might be attributable to epigenetic changes — reversible “marks” which can be added to the genome to show genes on and off.
“Genetics” and “epigenetics” may sound similar, but they check with two very different processes. To understand the difference between genetic mutations and epigenetic changes, consider your DNA as a book that accommodates a few of the information it's worthwhile to construct yourself.
According to this metaphor, each gene can be corresponding to a sentence on this book. A genetic variation can be the equivalent of using a pen to scratch out or edit a sentence. Once done, you may't undo it.
Epigenetic marks are more subtle changes – like underlining a sentence with a pencil or using a bookmark to quickly retrieve a specific page. These changes are achieved by adding or removing small molecules to the DNA itself, or to proteins which can be closely related to the DNA. Thus, epigenetic changes are reversible – but they'll profoundly affect the best way your cells “read” their DNA.
Lightspring/Shutterstock
Epigenetic marks are essential for turning genes on and off during development (eg helping us The structure of our eyes within the womb). Epigenetic marks also form a bridge between the external environment and genes. For example, epigenetic regulation of genes allows animals to adapt. Changing seasons.
For a protracted time, epigenetic marks were considered too early to really cause cancer. But previous work by our research group and lots of others has shown that cancer cells accumulate. Several epigenetic modifications – and these changes can promote the survival of cancer cells just as effectively as DNA mutations do. This would suggest that cancer arises from the buildup of each genetic and epigenetic changes.
However, previous studies on this area didn't have enough evidence to indicate that epigenetic changes may cause cancer within the absence of DNA mutations. This recent Nature study shows for the primary time that a transient change in epigenetic marks – even with out a change in DNA – is sufficient to cause cancer.
Cancer treatment
Not only is that this a scientifically interesting result, but there's evidence that might change the best way we treat certain cancers – especially if these findings are confirmed in future studies.
If epigenetic changes contribute to cancer, researchers could develop epigenetic treatments for this deadly disease. Many scientists and pharmaceutical corporations have. Working on it from the previous few many years.
These treatments will reprogram cancer cells by altering the distribution of reversible epigenetic marks. This will allow the cells to return to their normal behavior, thus stopping uncontrolled reproduction.
Some of those latest epigenetic drugs at the moment are approved for treatment in some countries. Blood cancers and sarcomas. Other epigenetic drugs are in clinical trials for essentially the most common sorts of cancer – including breast and prostate cancer.
The epigenetic cancer theory also has implications for cancer detection. Traces of abnormal epigenetic marks are released by cancer cells and are present in the blood of cancer patients. Why is that this? My colleagues and I Is Blood tests explained which might detect epigenetic marks from small amounts of blood. Because DNA mutations are also present in the blood of cancer patients, combining genetic and epigenetic tests could make cancer detection much more accurate.
Epigenetic therapies can be combined with conventional cancer treatments – reminiscent of surgery or radiotherapy, that are very effective in lots of cases.
Our team also suggested this. Epigenetic drugs and tests It could potentially be used to develop higher, more precise treatments which can be optimized for every patient – although the technology remains to be a great distance off.
Although the epigenetic theory of cancer explains necessary elements of how the disease develops, this doesn't mean that the classical theory of cancer is mistaken. This latest theory improves our understanding of a fancy phenomenon, reminding us that there remains to be much to study cancer.
The next steps on this research are to check the epigenetic theory in other models – reminiscent of human cells – to advance the event of precision treatments.