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11-28-2007, 01:56 PM
http://www.oddee.com/item_91848.aspx
Gene allows mouse to beat cancer
By Aislinn Simpson
Last Updated: 2:10am GMT 28/11/2007
A mouse that is resistant to all forms of cancer has been created by scientists who have hailed the advance as a major breakthrough.
Mice were implanted with the recently discovered Par-4 gene, which attacks aggressive cancer cells but leaves normal cells untouched. Animals implanted with the gene stayed alive, healthy and even lived a few months longer than those without it.
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If successfully transplanted into humans, it could be used to fight the disease without the need for chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can have debilitating side effects.
The scientist who discovered the gene, Vivek Rangnekar, professor of Radiation Medicine at Kentucky University's College of Medicine, believes that while there is more work to be done, it could one day form part of a more "holistic" cancer treatment for humans.
"The interesting part of this study is that this killer gene is selective for killing cancer cells. It will not kill normal cells."
The gene can also be passed from parents to offspring, as Prof Rangnekar and his team discovered by implanting it into the egg of a mouse which was then planted into a surrogate mother.
Gene allows mouse to beat cancer
By Aislinn Simpson
Last Updated: 2:10am GMT 28/11/2007
A mouse that is resistant to all forms of cancer has been created by scientists who have hailed the advance as a major breakthrough.
Mice were implanted with the recently discovered Par-4 gene, which attacks aggressive cancer cells but leaves normal cells untouched. Animals implanted with the gene stayed alive, healthy and even lived a few months longer than those without it.
advertisement
If successfully transplanted into humans, it could be used to fight the disease without the need for chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can have debilitating side effects.
The scientist who discovered the gene, Vivek Rangnekar, professor of Radiation Medicine at Kentucky University's College of Medicine, believes that while there is more work to be done, it could one day form part of a more "holistic" cancer treatment for humans.
"The interesting part of this study is that this killer gene is selective for killing cancer cells. It will not kill normal cells."
The gene can also be passed from parents to offspring, as Prof Rangnekar and his team discovered by implanting it into the egg of a mouse which was then planted into a surrogate mother.