Once they had discovered what made these leukemia cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy, they started working on a drug to combat them. The aim of the "smart bomb" is a defective gene that results in the abnormal form of the protein CD22, which causes cancer cells to proliferate and resist chemotherapy. This defective gene resists "supralethal" chemotherapy, total-body irradiation, and bone marrow transplantation.
The drug is called RNAi and potentially has the capability to shut down the defective gene. The team joined forces with the University of Illinois, where a small polypeptide was engineered to deliver the RNAi. The "smart bomb" created has a diameter of only 100 nanometers. It is one of few nanomedicines that works on the molecular level.
I think this "smart bomb" drug would revolutionize cancer treatment in children. As stated before, this form of leukemia is common and deadly, so if it were able to be treated so many lives could be saved. Cancer research is one of the most popular topics in science and this project specifically seems promising.
Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141105093506.htm
I found this article to be very insightful. Childhood cancer, and all cancers in general are extremely devistating to deal with. If this "super bomb" does become effective and can potentially save lives and help many children with this cancer, this method will become revolutional and an oustanding developed method.
ReplyDeleteThis is truly incredible. If this drug works and can actually treat the issue, who knows what other discoveries for curing cancer could be found. Not only would the drug revolutionize cancer treatment in children as Kelly said, but it could also lead to cancer treatment for everyone. It's astonishing.
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