how does new research of DNA help fight cancer?

Answer 1

DNA is the genetic material in all of our cells. Cancer is a disease caused by cells gone wild. Specifically, they are cells whose growth regulation has gone dysregulated. Actually, it starts with one wayward (bad) cell which then expands by cell-division gone awry. Often the cancer is due to somatic* mutations in DNA within that original bad cell (and then passed on to all the cells of the tumor, thereby confering cancerous growth to them). Studying the DNA of a particular cancer cell type can reveal the DNA mutation responsible for the cancer. This in turn can illuminate the gene and protein responsible for the cancer. This can then lead to the possibilities to detect the cancer, determine the type of the cancer, discover a drug to treat the cancer and TREAT the cancer.

* by the way, somatic mutations are those that just happen in the adult cells of an organism and are distinct from inherited mutations (which often account for diseases discovered in childhood. well this is a bit of an oversimplification... but not an entirely worthless generalization).

CML is such a case story which demonstrates the utility of studying DNA to help fight cancer. CML is chronic myelogenous leukemia, a blood cancer. Studying the DNA of CML tumors revealed an abnormal transposition of the bcr DNA right up next to the abl DNA forming the abnormal bcr-abl chimeric gene (at a cytogenetic level this transposition is so large that it can be seen in the light microscope and is known as the Philadelphia chromosome). bcr-abl encodes a dysregulated form of the abl protein (abl is an enzyme known as a protein kinase). In the laboratory, putting bcr-abl into experimental cell cultures results in a cancer-like condition. small-molecule inhibitors (see imitinab/Gleevec) of abl blocked the abnormal effects of bcr-abl and blocked the cancer-like condition in cells in the laboratory. These latter two experiments provide convincing experimental evidence that bcr-abl was the cause of CML and that dysregulation of the normal activity of abl was responsible. Most importantly (both as scientific proof but also as an anti-cancer therapy) the small molecule abl inhibitors, cuch as imitinab/Gleevec also were shown to be an effective therapy for CML in people.

look up 'the "Gleevec" story'. it is a phenomenal example of molecular medicine... why studying DNA can help fight cancer.

There are also other reasons why studying DNA is important in the fight against cancer... such as a diagnostic for important breast cancer gene, brca1 etc.

Answer 2

Just to elaborate on surf's imput, in the medical field, we describe the mechanism of many cancers with the "two hit hypothesis". Usually, one properly functioning copy of a tumor supressor gene or proto-oncogene is sufficient so that cells will not divide uncontrollably (cancer). So if there is an inherited mutation in the germline, that single mutation will not cause cancer. However, when people do get many cancers, it is because there is this SOMATIC mutation occurring, and thus both copies of a tumor supressor gene or an oncogene are not functioning properly, and the cell will divide uncontrollably (cancer).

These mutations we describe, first the germline, then the somatic level, represent the TWO HITS of the hypothesis.

It is the somatic mutation that is influenced by environmental effects, i.e. UV, chemicals, etc.

Answer 3

There are also many labs (such as mine) working to understand the mechanicisms of DNA repair proteins, since cancer can be caused by DNA being broken, causing either overexpression of oncogenes or underexpression of tumor suppressors.

If these proteins can be better understood, perhaps people who suffer from mutated/non-functional DNA repair proteins can be given some form of gene therapy in the future

Answer 4

Basically the new stem cell research that is taking place will help give a new understanding of all diseases. Since cancer is really just an increased division of cells, if they can narrow down what is giving the signal to these cells to divide then they can find a way to prevent it.

Answer 5

Why convinced we would want to! were given any recommendations? upload: If we are able to fix DNA then we are able to actual eliminate ALL ailment. upload: isn't your thought equivalent to "taking section in God"? we are not even allowed to apply embryonic human stem cells to electrify shown "remedies". How do you expct the political human beings protecting the handbag strings of the great maximum cancers study establishments to allow one of those element, no longer to point nano-tech depending genetic engineering? Who can make the regulations and police such an challenge to insure strict compliance as i'm effective there might want to be required in such an section?