banner
You are not using a standards compliant browser. Because of this you may notice minor glitches in the rendering of this page. Please upgrade to a compliant browser for optimal viewing:
Firefox
Internet Explorer 7
Safari (Mac and PC)
Press Release
Video: Bone marrow transplantation may increase cancer resistance in patients
Thursday, August 25, 2011


Bone marrow biopsy Credit: Chad McNeeley, US Navy

Bone marrow transplantation with genetically modified cells may prolong the period of cancer-free survival, suggests a study led by Dr. Vivek Rangnekar, associate director of translational research for the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky.

Bone marrow, a spongy tissue inside bones, contains stem cells that produce blood cells, including leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets. In the cover story of the July issue of Cancer Biology & Therapy, Rangnekar and his team explore the transfer of bone marrow from Par-4/SAC-transgenic donor mice to control mice as a means of transferring anti-cancer potential.

Par-4 (also known as PAWR) is a tumor suppressor protein that selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells, but not normal cells. This function of Par-4 is mediated by its central core domain, SAC. SAC-transgenic mice are resistant to the growth of spontaneous and inducible tumors.

After transplantation, the researchers discovered the expression of cancer-killer SAC-GFP activity in bone marrow cells of the recipient mice, implying the successful transfer and colonization of the anti-cancer tissue from the donors. In addition, soluble Par-4 or SAC protein injected into mice inhibited the growth of metastatic tumors.


Here, Dr. Rangnekar discusses his latest study and its implication for future research and cancer patients.Credit: University of Kentucky
Rangnekar, the Alfred Cohen Endowed Chair of Oncology Research at Markey, says the study shows promise for treating both primary and metastatic tumors.

"We are excited by the findings of this study as they indicate that secreted Par-4 is systemically active in mice," Rangnekar said. "Optimization of the bone marrow transplantation procedure using stem cells that are genetically modified to systemically secrete potent protein payloads of Par-4/SAC killer activity may offer a new approach to treat not only primary tumors but also metastatic tumors of diverse origin."

###

University of Kentucky: http://www.uky.edu



Thanks to University of Kentucky for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.



This press release has been viewed 357 time(s).

Comments
No comments recorded.
Add Comment?

For youtube videos, paste embed code directly in the text box

-

Members do not need to provide an address

-
Rate Article
Total votes: 0
Select Comment Validation Method
Member
Name/URL (Guest)
FaceBook (Guest)
Member Commenting:


Authenticate with Facebook before submitting

OR


Make your LabSpaces comments count. Start earning LabSpaces points by becoming a member! Learn more.
Please verify that you are human: Register for LabSpaces
Make your LabSpaces comments count. Start earning LabSpaces points by becoming a member! Learn more.


Please authenticate before trying to post a comment.

If you would like to remain anonymous, please enter a new name and link below


Friends