Science News

Sunday, February 22, 2009

What's Feeding Cancer Cells?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090217092748.htm

This is an interesting article. Scientists are trying to figure out what differs between normal cells and cancer cells. They've linked Myc a cancer causing gene to microRNA which controls the production of glutamine. Glutamine is an energy source that can be used by Cancer Cells to thrive. Scientists theorize if the production of Glutamine is hindered the Cancer Cells will either die off or now thrive as well.

What makes this great news for cancer patients is currently treatment of cancer requires chemo, radiation and or surgery. If Glutamine is a principal function for Cancer cells all Scientists would need to do is create a drug that targets specifically Glutamine. Currently Chemo and Radiation can not distinguished between normal cells and abnormal cells. This is why after going through Chemo the patient often feels very ill.

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