Cancer, that dangerous disease that continues to test us, never ceases to amaze us. What was once seen as a misunderstood anomaly is now becoming an increasingly clear struggle. With the identification of hundreds of new genes that a tumor may express, we are seeing scientific progress that promises to open a new perspective in cancer treatment.
Cancer: a battle at the DNA level
Cancer is not just a disease but a silent mutation in our body. It starts when something disrupts our genetic code – the perfect instructions that should tell how cells grow and work. But when this guidance is damaged, cells go out of control, multiplying wildly. When mutations in our genes make it impossible to regulate these cells properly, tumors, these internal invaders, appear.
So far, scientists have been able to approx 600 genes responsible for the appearance of tumors when mutations interfere with their sequences. But recent discoveries have taken this list to a new level: another 813 genes have been identified as potentially involved in the cancer process.
Advanced algorithms and new enemy: splicing-ul generic
What makes this discovery so interesting is how the scientists came to these conclusions. Unlike previous studies, which focused on direct mutations in DNA, the new research explores a much more subtle path: splicing-ul. Splicing is a process where parts of our DNA are ‘cut’ and reassembled to form proteins. In cancer, this mechanism can be disrupted, leading to the production of defective proteins capable of accelerating tumor formation.
The researchers used a so-called algorithm A detective analyzed a large amount of genetic data and found that manipulating this process can greatly benefit cancer. Basically, genes that wouldn’t normally cause tumors become dangerous when splicing goes haywire. Thus, what appeared to be “healthy” DNA code can create proteins that promote the growth of cancer cells.
A growing list and new hopes for cures
This discovery expands the list of genes that can cause cancer, and it does so with an interesting detail: just 10% of these new genes previously identified in the worldwide database of cancer-related mutations. In fact, the team of researchers from Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology he believes that the number of genes that may be involved in cancer could double, once new splicing mechanisms are better understood.
The discovery is not just theoretical. Laboratory tests on cancerous tissues have shown that targeting these genes through exons able to effectively limit tumor growth. In other words, if we understand how these genes are “transmitted,” we could develop new treatments that prevent or treat cancer more effectively.
A new vision in the fight against cancer
It is very interesting how today’s technology, from algorithms to advanced genetic analysis, is helping us to better understand how cancer works. Instead of seeing the disease as a series of isolated mutations, we are now able to see the whole picture: how cancer manipulates the body’s complex systems to achieve its goal of survival and proliferation .
Of course, we are only at the beginning of this journey. It will be years, perhaps decades, before these discoveries are translated into widespread treatments. But what is clear is that we are close to adding new weapons to our arsenal against cancer. With the discovery of these genes, we have a new target to exploit – and the more tools we have, the better.
We are getting closer to controlling this devastating disease
Cancer is undoubtedly one of the greatest medical challenges of the century. But each discovery is new, like the celebration 813 genes which may favor tumor development, which will bring us one step closer to a future in which this disease will be controlled. Continuous research and technological innovations it gives us not only a better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind cancer, but also the hope that one day we can prevent this devastating disease altogether.
2024-09-22 05:49:00
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