CD47 is a protein flag normally expressed on the surfaces of certain cells, such as circulating blood stem cells, to protect them from an organism’s immune system. About 10 years ago, Irving L. Weissman (Stanford University School of Medicine, CA) and colleagues showed that certain types of cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma cells, also expressedContinueContinue reading “Blocking CD47 to stop tumor growth”
Tag Archives: cancer
Serotonin’s new role in the liver
In liver disease, the balance between regeneration of healthy tissue and scar formation (or fibrosis) is disrupted. Hepatocyte regeneration gives way to fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. The mechanisms that control this balance are poorly characterized; a better understanding may lead to better management strategies for chronic liver disease. Now, a study led byContinueContinue reading “Serotonin’s new role in the liver”
Easing epilepsy associated with glioma
People with primary brain tumors called gliomas frequently suffer from epileptic seizures whose underlying cause is poorly understood. A research team from University of Alabama at Birmingham led by Harald Sontheimer sought to investigate the cause by recapitulating the seizures in female CB17 severe combined immunodeficient mice. Lab Anim. (NY) 40, 332 (2011). view fullContinueContinue reading “Easing epilepsy associated with glioma”
New cytokine, new role in colitis
The cytokines are a large, varied group of signaling molecules involved in development, immune responses and cellular communication. Dysregulation of cytokines has been implicated in depression, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, cytokines activate the immune system, causing chronic intestinal inflammation (colitis). But recent research led by Charles A. DinarelloContinueContinue reading “New cytokine, new role in colitis”
Saffron offers protection from liver cancer
As a recipe ingredient, saffron’s golden color and bright flavor and aroma make it one of the world’s most popular seasoning agents. It’s also one of the costliest, collected from the stigmas and style of the flowering plant Crocus sativus, which is native to southwest Asia. In addition to its culinary qualifications, saffron has longContinueContinue reading “Saffron offers protection from liver cancer”
What dogs can teach us about bones
Osteosarcoma occurs spontaneously in humans (usually children) and in dogs with a disease course and severity that are difficult to predict. Some patients respond well to conventional therapies, have a less aggressive form of disease and may survive for decades without recurrence, whereas others respond poorly to treatment or experience recurrence and may survive lessContinueContinue reading “What dogs can teach us about bones”
Saving a species bedeviled by cancer
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), the world’s largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, is endangered by a fatal transmissible disease called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). DFTD is a naturally occurring infectious cancer first observed on the east coast of Tasmania in 1996. This cancer is rapidly spreading across the island, the devil’s only native habitat. DFTDContinueContinue reading “Saving a species bedeviled by cancer”
Bee toxin takes the sting out of cancer
One challenge in cancer treatment is to balance toxicity with specificity: potential therapies must be toxic enough to damage rapidly dividing cancer cells yet specific enough to not harm other tissues. Cytolytic peptides are small proteins that are drawn to cell membranes and destroy them by creating structural defects that cause the cells to breakContinueContinue reading “Bee toxin takes the sting out of cancer”
Looking to mice to treat multiple myeloma
A new device that allows scientists to better monitor cells in the bloodstream of mice may aid the discovery of new drugs to combat multiple myeloma in humans. Charles Lin and colleagues at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine (Boston, MA) developed the device, called a retinal flow cytometer. Lab Anim. (NY) 37, 9 (2008). viewContinueContinue reading “Looking to mice to treat multiple myeloma”
Can a virus outsmart glioma?
Glioma is a lethal brain cancer that can resist radiation and chemotherapy. Adenovirus-based treatment has been difficult, but a new viral system has now shown unprecedented success. Juan Fueyo and colleagues genetically manipulated an adenovirus to effectively destroy a tumor from the inside out. Nat. Genet. 34, 133 (2003). view full text (login required)
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