Melanoma-Promoting Gene Discovered

In recent reports, Science Daily has updated information on gene related therapy. Melanoma, which is known as black skin cancer has become the main concern for researchers. In the country of Switzerland there has been a common concern among the population. There has been a discovery of a gene that plays a key role in black skin cancer. Using this specific gene on mice inhibits the production of the cancer.

In the process there is a tumor which might have a malignant cancer stem cell along with other less aggressive tumors. The key here is to identify the stem cells firstly. Researchers have been looking into whether or not there are mechanisms, which can be vital, in order for normal types of stem cells that also play a key role in cancer stem cells. Performing biopsies on patients whom had melanoma was the first step in looking for a important factor. One gene was found that effectively controls the stem-cell category, this is a highly active one in the tumor tissue looked into. The gene is referred to as, “Sox10”. This is important for cell division and the survival of stem cells.

[caption id="attachment_5691" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sox10 "][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_5692" align="aligncenter" width="230" caption="Mice are used constantly in research studies in order to obtain results."][/caption]

Using a mouse which carried a similar genetic mutation as to humans with melanoma, suppressing of the gene Sox10 in the mouse entirely inhibited the formation and the spread of the cancer. By attacking of the cancers stem cells there could be a possible treatment. This will be continued to be looked at and hopefully a new pathway to prevention of cancer can be discovered wholly. Cancer research has and will be constantly done in order to find a way to prevention or even cures. Being a part of Relay for Life, which is associated to the American Cancer Society, I have witnessed many lives taken by cancer, and it is heartbreaking. Some have succeeded in surviving thankfully, but until then a lot can be done in order for prevention.