Four-Gene Combo Might Predict Lethality Of Stomach Cancer

     A recent article in the U.S. News by Dennis Thompson states that four specific genes have been discovered that could help us understand more about stomach cancer. Testing four different genetic mutations could enable doctors to help find a direct treatment that could aggressively treat conditions, such as surgery or chemotherapy.

    Today, most gastric cancers are treated the same way. Recent research has identified different molecular differences, which may enable scientists to tailor treatment to a specific person's mutation. During this study, they looked at 21 genes in tumors taken from 87 patients who had already undergone chemotherapy. By comparing the genes within the patients, they found that BRCA2, CDH1, RHOA, and TP53 changes were likely to lead to cancer. Researchers are trying to match the findings to establish an affordable test to discover individuals with high-risk patterns. Identifying these patterns could help us lead in the right direction in tumor biology.

Lung cancer cells' 'memories' suggest new strategy for improving treatment

A common type of cell lung cancer that is mutated by the KRAS gene is called lung adenocarcinoma and researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have found new strategies for improving the treatment for it. Tuomas Tammela who is a cancer scientist who led the study found alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells which have a "memory" of their beginning as healthy cells. Also known as "AT1-like" cells which are cancer cells that remain while the KRAS inhibitor treatment is going on. The cell's presence is a negative thing since it leads to treatment resistance and can aid in the cancer coming back. The second article also supports the findings from the Science Daily article. 

The results from this study hope to help scientists come up with new improved strategies for lung cancer treatments and find a solution against the resistance of KRAS inhibitors. I believe that if they do more research and spend more time understanding the movements and functions of the AT1 cells they will find more meaningful discoveries which would help with the treatments. The researchers also plan to identify which surface proteins are different from AT1 cells and then create a therapeutic treatment that will bind both of them and kill them. 

Links 

- Lung cancer cells' 'memories' suggest new strategy for improving treatment | ScienceDaily

- Lung cancer cells' 'memories' suggest new strategy for improving treatment (medicalxpress.com)