Scientists working in the Northwestern University School of Medicine have been able to identify a molecule of RNA that can suppress cancer causing genes. This RNA molecule is known as miR-182 and is able to suppress gliobastoma mulitforme in mice. Usually chemotherapy is only capable of damaging the DNA to stop cancer cells from being able to grow. In order to deliver the miR-182 to the tumor cells the scientists had to use nanostructure also know as spherical nucleic acids. From that injection in the blood-brain barrier it was able to increase the cancer cell death and reduced the cell growth. The study showed that the miR-182 suppressed a cancer gene that blocks cell death due to radiation. Using the spherical nucleic acids it was able to reach the tumor cells without using toxicity or affecting the immune system.
This idea could potentially help prevent or stop the growth of brain tumors. Scientists will need to do further research to decide on whether or not to use this method on humans. Since science have only used this on mice that were affected by glioblastoma mulitforme it may not be the same in humans with the same tumor. It could be very helpful to use the RNA molecule to suppress the cancer causing gene but could also be harmful if not properly tested. The advances in cancer research using RNA to try and stop cancer cells from growing could potentially be the next step in treating cancer.
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This article really caught my eye. My uncle has a glioblastoma, and there weren't many options that were given to him because of the severity of the tumor. Typically they suggest two surgery's at the most, because there is only so much of the brain that you can remove while allowing the person to remain functional. I think this research will be of great benefit for people who suffer from this disease. While this can helps patients who are suffering, I think the next step would be to do research to prevent this type of cell growth from occurring.
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