Tuesday, November 27, 2007The researchers have created mouses that are resistance to even highly agressive cancers. In University of Kentucky, the scientists created this mouse by introducing into the animal the tumour-killing Par-4 gene, taken from the prostate.
Par-4 gene was discovered by radiation-medicine expert Vivek Rangnekar and his team and this kills cancer cells but not normal cells. Also, it is found in every kind of cell, the researchers say.
In the study, the Par-4 gene was added to a mouse egg that was implanted in a surrogate mother. The resulting offspring's pups also expressed the gene, and they were resistant to tumour formation. "We've been able to transfer this activity to generations in the mouse," Rangnekar said. On the other hand, in mice that had the Par-4 gene removed, tumours developed in various tissues.
The researchers also discovered that mice with the special gene lived a few months longer than animals that did not carry the gene. They did not show any ill effects from possessing the gene. The researchers speculate that the gene may one day be able to be transplanted via a person's bone marrow to fight cancerous cells in the body. They believe it may act as an alternative to chemotherapy and radiation, which have highly toxic effects on healthy cells.
In my opinion, this will one day be one of the greatest invention. If this was to be improved and able to be used to humans, many and many people who is infected by cancer cells will be cured and will live a better and happier life. I wish that this medicine improves within few years so that my family members, friends or myself can be cured through this medicine.
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