A new mechanism involving a signaling protein and its receptor that could block the formation of new blood vessels and cancer growth has been demonstrated by researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).
Angiogenesis creates new blood vessels in a process that can lead to the onset and progression of several diseases such as cancer and age-related macular degeneration.
Tumor Markers For Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
An ideal tumor marker for a cancer should be specific to that cancer and not generate false positive results.
Advertisement
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signaling protein produced by damaged cells, which binds to one of its receptors VEGFR-2, located on the surface of blood vessel cells.
Once VEGF is bound to its receptor, it is activated and sends a biochemical signal to the inside of the blood vessel cell to initiate angiogenesis.
![Brain Tumor]( "Brain Tumor")
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
There are currently multiple Federal Drug Administration-approved medications that target this process.
However, these medications are limited by insufficient efficacy and the development of resistance.
The researchers demonstrated that a biochemical process called methylation, which can regulate gene expression, also affects VEGFR-2, and this can lead to angiogenesis.
Using multiple methods, the researchers were able to interfere with the methylation process of VEGFR-2 and subsequently block angiogenesis and tumor growth.
"The study points to the methylation of VEGFR-2 as an exciting, yet unexplored drug target for cancer and ocular angiogenesis, ushering in a new paradigm in anti-angiogenesis therapy," Nader Rahimi, PhD, associate professor of pathology, BUSM, who served as the study's senior investigator, said.
The findings are published in the journal Science Signaling.
Source: ANI
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
Advertisement
There are currently multiple Federal Drug Administration-approved medications that target this process.
However, these medications are limited by insufficient efficacy and the development of resistance.
The researchers demonstrated that a biochemical process called methylation, which can regulate gene expression, also affects VEGFR-2, and this can lead to angiogenesis.
Using multiple methods, the researchers were able to interfere with the methylation process of VEGFR-2 and subsequently block angiogenesis and tumor growth.
"The study points to the methylation of VEGFR-2 as an exciting, yet unexplored drug target for cancer and ocular angiogenesis, ushering in a new paradigm in anti-angiogenesis therapy," Nader Rahimi, PhD, associate professor of pathology, BUSM, who served as the study's senior investigator, said.
The findings are published in the journal Science Signaling.
Source: ANI
Carcinoid Tumors
Carcinoid tumors is a benign tumor that results in carcinoid syndrome. Only 8 to 10% of all carcinoid tumors are associated with the carcinoid syndrome.
Advertisement
 PheochromocytomaPheochromocytoma is a rare tumor of the adrenal glands that secretes the catecholamines, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment of adrenal gland tumor are explained in detail. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Cancer News
More affected relatives, higher lung cancer risk; participants with affected mothers or siblings faced increased risk.
Colorectal cancer can be lowered by up to 7% by increasing dietary consumption of folate rich foods like spinach, broccoli or taking folate supplements.
The effects and mechanisms of microRNA-451a (miR-451a), which hinders the progression of gemcitabine-resistant biliary tract cancers, are under study.
The blood test pinpointed 13 proteins capable of distinguishing between early and late stages of pancreatic cancer.
A fatty acid present in dairy products, beef, and lamb called trans-vaccenic acid enhances immune cells' capacity to combat cancers.