Scientists have discovered two genes that may be responsible for the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
The glioblastoma multiforme rapidly invades the brain, causing inoperable tumors, but experts do not yet understand why the brain is so agresivo.
In the latest study by a team of Columbia University, USA, and published in the journal Nature, is located two genes that seem to work in pairs to activate other cells that cause cancer.
Researchers say the discovery raises the hope of developing a cancer treatment.
Genes, C / EPB and Stat3, are active in 60% of patients with glioblastoma.
Patients who participated in the study who showed evidence of both active genes have died within the first 140 days of diagnosis.
While half of the patients with inactive genes remained alive after the time passed.
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The study leader, Antonio Iavarone, said that “when (the genes) are activated simultaneously work together to activate hundreds of genes that turn other brain cells in a highly aggressive and migratory cells,” he said.
Remove both genes simultaneously, with the help of a combination of drugs, can be a powerful therapy for such patients, for whom there is no satisfactory treatment (more…)