The researchers significant breakthrough that can benefit patients with cancer of the intestine -
Researchers at Queen's University have made a significant breakthrough that can benefit to patients with intestinal cancer.
Dr Sandra van Schaeybroeck and his team have discovered how two genes cause colon cancer cells to become resistant to treatments used against the disease. The research, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, was published this month in the prestigious international journal Cell reports.
The activity of two genes, called MEK and MET, was discovered when the researchers looked at all the different pathways and interactions that take place in cancer cells of the intestine.
Dr. van Schaeybroeck and his group found that these intestinal cancers go on a survival mechanism when they are treated with drugs that target faulty genes MEK. But when researchers added drugs that also block the MET gene, cancer cells of the intestine are dead.
The team is currently testing a new approach to target these two genes in the most aggressive forms of bowel cancer in a European Commission funded clinical trial is led by Dr. van Schaeybroeck.
Currently, more than 40,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year and more than 16,000 patients die of the disease. More than half of patients develop an aggressive form of the disease that does not respond to standard treatment, the overall five-year survival in this group of patients is less than five percent.
study author Dr. Sandra van Schaeybroeck, of the Centre for Research on Cancer and Cell Biology (of CCRCB) at Queen's University, said: "We have discovered how two key genes contributing aggressive bowel cancer understand how they are involved in the development of the disease has also initiated the development of new potential. treatment approach for this disease "
Vice Chancellor University of the Queen, Professor Patrick Johnston, said:". Understanding the genes that cause bowel cancer is a key element of our research Our findings in this deadly disease were identified. new path to clinical application for cancer patients "
Professor David Waugh, Director CCRCB the Queen said:". the publication of this research by Dr. van Schaeybroeck and his team demonstrates our commitment to achieve scientific excellence here in Belfast that can be directly translated to the clinic. "
clinical trial, which is called mercuric and should begin in September, will deliver personalized medicine to patients in Northern Ireland and patients from other European countries. overall, the pan-European collaborative effort will involve 13 research / clinical teams from nine European countries.
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