Breast cancer update – 7/16/07
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A protein that is necessary for breast cancer to metastasize – or spread to other parts of the body – was recently discovered.
Akt1 is a serine-threonine protein kinase which inhibits apoptosis. Breast and some other cancers cells tend to make too much Akt1. A group of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University genetically engineered some mice so that they would no longer make Akt1.
They then bred these mice with mice that overexpressed the HER2/neu/ErbB2 gene. The HER2/neu/ErbB2 protein is a type of epidermal growth factor receptor. Around 25% or so of breast cancers overexpress this protein.
The researchers found mice that ended up with only one copy of the Akt1 gene developed only small and slow growing tumors. But those with 2 copies developed metastatic cancer.
They also found that Akt1 causes cancer cells to release a protein called CXCL16, a cytokine. CXCL16 helps breast cancer cells to migrate to other regions of the body.
These results – published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – may help in developing drugs that block Akt1 to prevent breast cancer metastases in the future.
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Related Posts:
- Women’s Health Weekly Review: July 6 – July 12
- New breast cancer gene discovered
- Breast cancer update – 7/12/07
July 12, 2007
Breast cancer update – 7/12/07
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I’ll do some updates on breast cancer research next – there is lot of research out there, and with being so behind it will take a few postings to get caught up.
Treatment and Survival
According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute the survival of women with early breast cancer is increased when chemotherapy is used along with tamoxifen although preventing the ovaries from releasing estrogen does not help.
A study in International Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that women who survived breast cancer and participated in an supervised cardiovascular and strength training program improved their cardiorespiratory fitness and strength and muscle function. All but the increases in cardiorespiratory fitness were retained another 8 weeks after the initial 8 week program concluded.
New Research
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a protein that is involved in proliferation and differentiation of cells. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments can increase circulating levels of TGF-beta as well as circulating cancer cells in mice. Research in a mouse model of breast cancer that was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows that blocking TGF-beta could prevent metastases of a tumor. The researchers blocked TGF-beta with antibodies directed against it resulting in the prevention of tumor metastases. There are currently some early stage clinical trials involving TGF-beta inhibitors being added to the treatment regimen. Read more: Treatment-induced growth factor causes cancer progression
Prevention
Eating a lot of red and processed meats may increase the chances of women developing breast cancer according to some researchers in Great Britain. In this study the diets of over 35,000 women between 35 and 69 were analyzed and it was found that the postmenopausal women who ate the most red meat were 56% more likely to develop breast cancer and those who ate the most processed meat had a 64% increase. Why this is the case is not known but it may involve the saturated fat in meat or the heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced in grilled meat. This research was published in the British Journal of Cancer.
Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel development which can lead to the increase in growth of tumors by bringing them more nutrients. A protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is involved in this process. It has long been known that drinking alcohol by women increases their risk for breast cancer. A recent study by Dr. Jian-Wei Gu from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in mice showed that alcohol increased breast tumor size as well as increased blood vessel growth near the tumor. They also found evidence of an increase in VEGF levels.
That’s all for now! More breast cancer news coming soon.
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Related Posts:
- Breast cancer research update – 7/20/07
- Breast cancer update – 7/16/07
- Women’s Health Weekly Review: July 6 – July 12
July 11, 2007
Bone health
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I’m back to blogging again! At least I hope so – if nothing else comes up that prevents me from writing more regularly.
And as I hinted at last time – bone health is what is on my mind lately so I decided that would the topic of my first post back.
I can’t believe that the last time I wrote anything about osteoporosis or bone health was back in February! And unfortunately I don’t see a lot in the news lately about it. Maybe I missed something – but this is all I have for now on the subject:
Estrogen and bone loss
– Way back in March a study was presented that helps explain how the main form of estrogen in humans – called estradiol – helps to keep bones more dense. The bones in our bodies are constantly being broken down and built back up. Osteoblasts are bone cells that are responsible for bone formation. The researchers discovered that the enzyme caspase-3 which is involved in the programmed cell death (also called apoptosis) of osteoblast cells is inhibited by estradiol. After menopause, estrogen levels decrease and women become more likely to have their bones become more brittle and break more easily. The press release for this study can be found here: Study describes action of estrogen in protecting bone.
Bisphosphonates and jaw necrosis
– Another study linking the use of bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis to jaw and facial bone deterioration was published recently in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Osteonecrosis can occur when the blood supply to the area is poor, leading to bone death or deterioration. A causal relationship between the drug’s use and jaw necrosis is not certain at this point however. Read more here: Bisphosphonate treatment is associated with jaw bone problems
SSRI’s and bone health
– A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine provides some evidence that the use of SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) prescribed commonly for depression may have a negative effect on bone health in older people. The study showed a correlation between SSRI’s and bone health, but some other factor such as being less physically active could be responsible. Learn more: OHSU scientists find antidepressant, bone loss link.
Exercise in the elderly
– Concerning the elderly is a study in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showing that exercise training can improve people’s balance and decrease their fear of falling. A related study (BMC Geriatrics) showed that balance-training exercises may improve balance in elderly people and possibly reduce the chance of them falling.
Hip surgery and recovery
– Lastly, a researcher in St. Louis recently published a report indicating that many people recovering from hip surgery may develop problems with depression afterward due to being confined to their bed or home or other factors.
That’s all I have for now – but remember – weight bearing exercise along with calcium and vitamin D can go a long way in preventing osteoporosis!
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Related Posts:
- Osteoporosis Update
- Possible role of FSH in osteoporosis.
- Magnesium also important in preventing Osteoporosis
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