Scientists Create a Genetically Modified Virus That Can Combat Prostate Cancer

Approximately 1 in 9 guys will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, and, after lung cancer, it’s miles the second most common type of cancer in men. Scientists and researchers’ paintings are tough a day to look for new ways of combating most cancers’ deadly form. This week, one crew has revealed promising findings. Research, these days,, posted in an editorial in Gene Therapy, is displaying high-quality capacity in developing remedies.

Destroying tumor cells

Scientists at the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP) in Brazil had been able to successfully destroy tumor cells in mice with the aid of injecting them with a genetically manipulated virus. Not best that, but the virus also made tumor cells extra receptive to chemotherapy capsules, assisting them to nearly cast off tumors in a few instances.
The researchers’ group changed into led by way of Bryan Eric Strauss, head of the Viral Vector Laboratory at ICESP’s Center for Translational Research in Oncology (CTO).

P53: A weapon in opposition to cancer

“We used a combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy to fight prostate cancer in mice,” Strauss stated. “We selected the weapon we took into consideration most probably to work as a tumor suppressant,” he stated, referring to p53. P53, called TP53 or tumor protein, is a gene that is essential in controlling cellular cycles. As such, it has capabilities as a tumor suppression protein. As it’s miles present in both mice and humans, it is ideal for this research form. The gene was inserted into the genetic code of an adenovirus under lab conditions. The genetically manipulated virus is then injected at once into the tumors found in mice.

Testing mice

Strauss outlined how they differentiated the results in mice, the use of the p53-infused viru,fromth the ones they usedwithf greater conventional tablets: “First, we implanted human prostate cancer cells in the mice and waited for tumors to develop. We then injected the virus directly into the tumors. We repeated this procedure numerous times. On two of those events, we additionally systemically administered cabazitaxel, a drug normally utilized in chemotherapy. After that, we monitored the mice to see if the tumors advanced.” An unrelated virus was additionally administered to a number of the mice as a control

A few caveats

Injecting the virus right into a patient’s bloodstream isn’t possible, Strauss claims. The drug has to be injected directly into the tumor. Treating tumor cells with p53, alas, does not ensure that they will be eliminated. As such, the remedy, if advanced, would be combined with different methods. Such a combination could help to avoid the side effects of using only chemotherapy or different capsules as treatment. While the studies are in their early stages, it’s miles displaying splendid promise as a brand new method for combating most cancers. The research group’s subsequent step is to think about whether to take their findings into scientific trials with human patients.

The Pink Ribbon and Breast Cancer Awareness Month was brought to the US in 1985 and introduced to the UK in 1993. The Pink Ribbon Foundation is fronted by theEstéee Lauder organization of companies (recognized for cosmetics and skincare). Since then, the red ribbon symbol has emerged as synonymous with breast cancer, and in the course of the past 15 years, billions of kilos have been raised in its call. Every October, the world celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and fundraising all through that month is phenomenal. All the breast cancer charities vie with ach other to a peer which one can give you the most innovative “pink” fundraising. They run pink parties and promote pink products so that you can make money. Many organizations participate and do special promotions throughout October for his or her favored charity. “Pink” is a big enterprise.

So with all this cash being raised at some stage in October and at different times throughout the 12 months through activities like charity runs and walks, is there an effect on the breast cancer fees in the UK and around the world? Are they coming down? Are fewer girls stricken by the devastating outcomes of breast cancer? Unfortunately, the answer is ‘no’. In the United Kingdom, from 1993-2004, breast cancer incidence increased by 18.5%, which is 1% consistent with 12 months. 1 in 9 women gets the disease throughout their lifetime, with modern projections of 1 in 7 by 2010. Forty-five 500 ladies were identified in 2005, which equates to 125 girls each day. Worldwide, more than 1,000,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. It is likewise projected that breast cancer fees will increase upward thrust maximum in developing countries, where women do no longer have access to top-quality care and in which they also created as outcasts in certain societies.