Although One of two people Some type of cancer will develop of their lifetime, a disease we still don't know much about. But because of continued research efforts, we proceed to learn more concerning the biology of cancer. One of those recent discoveries can also change our understanding. How does cancer develop?.
But before we talk concerning the latest discovery, let's first discuss the classic theory that tries to clarify why normal cells turn into cancer cells. This theory states that DNA mutations are the first reason for cancer.
It is well-known that as we age, certain lifestyle and environmental aspects (corresponding to smoking and UV radiation) cause random DNA mutations (also called genetic mutations) in our cells. Most genetic changes trigger cell death or haven't any consequences. However, just a few mutations favor cell survival. If enough “life-extending” DNA mutations occur in a cell, the cell will turn into virtually immortal – starting a sequence 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 brought on by 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). Researchers used flies to analyze whether cancer might be brought on by epigenetic changes — reversible “marks” which might be added to the genome to show genes on and off.
“Genetics” and “epigenetics” may sound similar, but they confer with two very different processes. To understand the difference between genetic mutations and epigenetic changes, consider your DNA as a book that comprises a number of the information you must construct yourself.
According to this metaphor, each gene could be such as a sentence on this book. A genetic variation could 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 selected page. These changes are achieved by adding or removing small molecules to the DNA itself, or to proteins which might be closely related to the DNA. Thus, epigenetic changes are reversible – but they will profoundly affect the way in which your cells “read” their DNA.
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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 an extended time, epigenetic marks were regarded as too early to truly 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 that epigenetic changes could cause cancer within the absence of DNA changes. 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 would change the way in which 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 couple of 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 are actually 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 may detect epigenetic marks from small amounts of blood. Because DNA mutations are also present in the blood of cancer patients, a mix of genetic and epigenetic tests could make cancer detection much more accurate.
Epigenetic therapies can be combined with conventional cancer treatments – corresponding to surgery or radiotherapy, that are very effective in lots of cases.
Our team also suggested this. Epigenetic drugs and tests This could potentially be used to develop higher, more precise treatments which might be optimized for every patient – ​​although the technology continues to be a great distance off.
Although the epigenetic theory of cancer explains essential points 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 posh phenomenon, reminding us that there continues to be much to study cancer.
The next steps on this research are to check the epigenetic theory in other models – corresponding to human cells – to advance the event of precision treatments.