Everything is on the search for "cancer genes"!
Expert: creating a "genomic atlas" of cancer –
priority task of science
On the fourth of February, the World Cancer Day was celebrated. Scientists often call cancer a "genome disease", thereby emphasizing that genetic "breakdowns" of cells are at the heart of this disease. Currently, a number of projects are being carried out in the world to study the genetic characteristics of different types of malignant tumors.
The path to "targeted" treatment"A detailed description of (cancer-related genetic) mutations and all variants of malignant tumors will reveal the "driver" genes most important for the development of certain types of cancer," Schlessinger told RIA Novosti.
According to him, as a result, a detailed "genetic atlas" of tumors will not only make an accurate diagnosis, but will also open up excellent opportunities for "targeted" cancer treatment. The understanding of epigenetic (not related to DNA sequence changes – ed.) mechanisms of gene work in cancer cells should also play a role in the emergence of new drugs, the scientist added.
"Over the past few decades, the molecular basis of many forms of cancer has been clarified. This made it possible to develop new effective drugs for targeted therapy of certain types of tumors," Schlessinger said.
As an example, he cited chronic myeloid leukemia caused by the mutant oncogene bcr-abl; this form of cancer is well treated with Imatinib (Glivec).
Imatinib at one time became the first drug to target tumor cells with characteristic genetic defects. The creators of Imatinib Nicholas Lydon (Nicholas Lydon), Brian Druker (Brian Druker) and Charles Sawyers (Charles Sawyers) have been named among the candidates for the Nobel Prize in recent years.
"The challenge is to find drugs that block the work of most, if not all, of the molecules that control the development of each type and subtype of cancer," Schlessinger stressed.
In his opinion, combining targeted therapy with immunological methods will eventually replace the currently existing methods of chemotherapy, providing cancer treatment with a minimum of side effects.
Joseph Schlessinger is the author of a number of key discoveries in the field of molecular mechanisms of cancer. He is considered one of the founders of the modern science of signal transmission inside cells. The most important practical result of Schlessinger's work was the creation of a new class of anticancer drugs that are highly effective and specific. In 2006, Schlessinger was elected a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Scientists will talk about cancerQuestions of molecular oncology are usually included in the program of leading conferences in the field of life sciences.
This will also be the case at the upcoming summer Congress of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS-2013) in St. Petersburg – the largest global scientific forum in the history of modern Russia.
In particular, Schlessinger will give a lecture at the congress, in which he will talk about the role of a special class of proteins – tyrosine kinase receptors – in the transmission of intracellular signals, as well as approaches to the treatment of tumors caused by the work of these molecules.
Frank McCormick, Director of the Helen Diller Cancer Research Center at the University of California (USA), will talk about the role of the K-Ras protein, a molecular "switch" that regulates the transmission of signals inside cells, in the development of cancer. "Mutant forms of the K-Ras oncogene cause the development of a tumor in every fifth case of lung adenocarcinoma," Schlessinger explained as an example.
The issues of personalized antitumor therapy will be the topic of the session "Science and Society". Alexander Eggermont, head of the Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute (France), the largest European center for the treatment of malignant tumors, will make a presentation on "Conceptual, logistical and financial problems of personalized cancer treatment".
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru05.02.2013