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Doctors Find Specific Genes Cause Cancer
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=13A62E9:A6F02AD83191E16006F7A881A97E57989574F7DCC14957C0 Tests on mice show
ability of microRNA to turn cancer process on and off Doctors may be
one step closer to uncovering the mystery that surrounds the causes of
cancer. A specific class of genes has been proven to trigger some
types of the disease.

We all know about the major risk factors for cancer -- smoking, fatty
foods, exposure to the sun and heredity.







Dr. Carlo CroceNow, scientists are closer to discovering what triggers
cancer on a cellular level.  Carlo Croce is a genetics researcher at
Ohio State University. He says, "Now we are able, we and many others,
are able to develop novel treatments that might be much more
successful."

Croce and his colleges have identified a class of genes called
microRNA. They control other genes in our bodies.  Altered microRNA
genes had already been found in many types of cancer. So Croce's team
purposely altered a single type of microRNA gene in lab mice. The
result -- the mice developed leukemia and lymphomas.

"The direct proof is to show that when we reintroduce that overactive,
very active microRNA into normal cells, those normal cells become
malignant."

Croce says the next step is to find treatments that counter the
effects of the altered microRNA. So far, he and his team have come up
with a way to shut off the activity of the very active microRNA, thus
preventing it from creating cancer cells.

"The new challenge,” says the doctor, “and we and many others around
the world will try to do that, [is] to develop the treatments based on
alterations in microRNA."

The good news is Croce says the technology to manipulate the activity
of microRNA already exists. Besides human leukemias and lymphomas,
microRNA genes also have been found in human lung, breast and colon
cancers.


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