Novel genetic signature that can predict some kinds of breast cancer is identified

Researchers have identified a genetic signature with prognostic value for certain kinds of breast cancer. The discovery also contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathological angiogenesis, the aberrant proliferation of blood vessels that occurs during cancer and other diseases. The research, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, combined a study of the genes involved in retinopathy, […]

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Scientists reveal novel oncogenic driver gene in human gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Sarcomas—cancers that arise from transformed mesenchymal cells (a type of connective tissue)—are quite deadly. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common human sarcoma and are initiated by activating mutations in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. Micro-GISTs are a smaller variation of clinical GISTs and are found in one-third of the general population without clinical symptoms. Although the micro-GISTs and […]

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Novel regulator of mitochondrial cell death reveals a promising target for cancer therapy

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have described the role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in controlling survival of cancer cells, suggesting the protein could represent a promising therapeutic target. They also found that expression of MFF is regulated by Myc, a ubiquitous mediator of cell proliferation that contributes to development of many cancer types. These results were published online in […]

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Novel approach leads to potential sepsis prevention in burn patients

Immediately following severe burns, bacteria reach the wound from different sources, including the patient’s skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tracts and health care-related human contact. Within the wound, bacteria multiply, establish an infection and move from the infected burn wound into the bloodstream, causing serious complications like sepsis, multiple-organ failure and death. In modern burn units, more than 50% of deaths […]

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Scientists uncover novel strategy to target common type of cancer

Researchers have identified a protein critical for the survival of a particular type of tumor cell, according to a study published today in eLife. The findings, originally posted on bioRxiv, suggest that targeting a protein called Werner syndrome helicase (WRN) could represent a novel opportunity for treating a subgroup of cancer patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. MSI is a […]

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In vitro cell culture findings could lead to novel interventions for schizophrenia

A study recently published in Translational Psychiatry, a Nature journal, has shown how using cultured cells from patients with psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, to investigate abnormalities in nerve connections in the brain could lead to new treatments. Strong correlations were observed between the findings in the cells in culture—grown outside the body in a controlled environment—and findings from brain […]

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Study points to novel epigenetic target for Alzheimer’s Disease

A research team at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Center for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) has identified a novel epigenetic drug target to simultaneously normalize multiple deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia in the elderly and the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The study, titled […]

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Novel gene mutation found in lymphatic disorder

Pediatric researchers have identified a gene mutation that causes a serious lymphatic condition, and used that knowledge to restore normal lymphatic vessels in model animals. The laboratory findings may lead to a new therapy for patients with this type of abnormal lymphatic circulation. “This discovery offers a potential avenue for intervening with existing drugs to treat patients with this complex, […]

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