UCLA scientists use PET scans to locate, track prostate cancer cells in mice
15.07.2008 20:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
UCLA researchers are using PET scans to pinpoint and track cancer cells as they spread to the lymph nodes in mice, a method they believe has the potential to improve the way advanced prostate cancer is treated in men. The findings by Lily Wu, a researcher at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles, were published Friday in the online edition of the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine. Wu and her research team engineered a common cold virus to travel to the lymph nodes, using a prostate cancer-specific vector that dictates its payload be expressed only in prostate cells. The payload in this case is a protein that can be imaged by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning. The virus was introduced into the tumour in the mouse and the scientists were able to detect PET signals only from the lymph nodes with cancer cell involvement, indicating the virus reached and infected the prostate cancer cells and produced the imaging protein. This discovery could aid oncologists in finding the cancer's spread earlier when it's more treatable and before it invades distant organs, Wu said in a release. "We now know we can reach these prostate cancer metastases at an earlier stage than before, and we know we can deliver genes to those cancer cells that produce proteins that can be imaged by PET," Wu said. "Now we will find out how effective this genetic toxic payload is in preventing further spread of the cancer to other vital organs." Wu said this type of image-guided therapy has the potential to improve the way advanced prostate cancer is treated. "It would represent a treatment advance in patients for whom outcome is not good," Wu said. "This would help improve the prognosis for these patients by letting us find and treat these metastases early. If we can catch the cancer before it invades other organs, we have a better chance to change the outcomes for these patients." This type of approach was pioneered in the field of breast cancer with testing of the sentinel lymph node, the first place breast cancer goes when it spreads. A biopsy can determine if the cancer is in the sentinel node, therefore spreading, and oncologists base their treatment decisions on that information. In prostate cancer, the lymph nodes — the first place prostate cancer goes before invading other organs — are much more difficult to access for biopsy, so Wu's method provides a much needed, non-invasive alternative. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKHealth HeadlinesHuntington's trigger found, could help with treatmentNew research appears to show that Huntington's disease is caused by an overactive immune response that occurs in the bloodstream and in the brain.Study shakes up belief that low-salt diet helps asthmaThe long-standing advice that asthmatics adhere to a low-sodium diet to improve their symptoms has been challenged by a new study.Global warming could cause rise in kidney stones: studyResearchers at the University of Texas believe cases of kidney stones could increase by as much as 30 per cent in some regions of the United States by 2050 if predicted temperature increases play out. Direct drug ad ban a 'stupid quagmire': CMAJ editorHealth Canada's uneven enforcement of its ban on direct-to-consumer drug advertising may strengthen the hand of companies fighting to have it overturned, the Canadian Medical Association Journal said.Home tests for HPV put to the test in northern QuebecResearchers launching a pilot project in northern Quebec hope a "do-it-yourself" test for the human papillomavirus, or HPV, might help reduce the rates of cervical cancer in Canada's North. Health FeaturesBIRTH CONTROLThird World woesMillions need help, advocates sayIN DEPTHRed, red wineHealth pros and consHEALTHLife spanLongevity secrets from around the worldBlogSherraine SchalmI am fencer, hear me roar!HEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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