Italian scientists unravel brain tumour growth process.Scientists have discovered the mechanism that

Italian scientists unravel brain tumour growth process.Scientists have discovered the mechanism that allows the survival of cancer stem cells in glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal type of brain tumour. A key element in the process is the protein ID2, which can trigger off a chain of events leading to both the onset and progression of glioblastomas. The discovery has been reported in an article in the journal Nature by a group of researchers from Columbia University in New York, led by Antonio Iavarone and Anna Lasorella. The scientists believe that by “inactivating” the protein, it will be possible to block tumour growth.The protein ID2 promotes the reproduction of the cancer stem cells at the root of tumours, and encourages their growth by continuing to generate further new cells. These are difficult to eradicate, even using highly aggressive treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The importance of this study lies in its identification of the mechanisms that activate ID2, but also in the discovery of how the protein ID2, when activated in human cancer, encourages the uncontrolled growth of cancer stem cells. By blocking ID2 activation mechanisms, researchers aim to contain the spread of tumours or prevent their reappearance after surgery. Glioblastoma is the most common and malignant form of brain tumour, and affects individuals of all ages including children, although it is most common between the ages of 45 and 70.Unfortunately, surgery, combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is not yet effective against this type of cancer, and the life expectancy of sufferers is usually under two years. This is why an increased understanding of the mechanisms that cause glioblastoma to develop and make it so difficult to treat is the only way it can be combated more effectively. The ID2 protein is known to be an inhibitor of cell differentiation in the embryo, when the active division and subsequent differentiation of the stem cells of various tissues is necessary for the formation of organs specialising in a variety of functions (brain, muscles, bones, etc.). Under normal conditions, ID2 is released when cells stop dividing and start to differentiate, but in the case of glioblastoma, ID2 is activated abnormally.“Our study found that ID2 remains active due to reduced oxygen concentration in the growing tumour. In the “inappropriately active” form, ID2 is capable of blocking the system which destroys two proteins called Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) alpha 1 and 2, whose action is particularly important for the survival of cancer stem cells in the absence of adequate levels of oxygen and nourishment. In practice, ID2 allows more malignant glioblastoma cells to adapt and survive even in extremely unfavourable conditions, and to continue to multiply without losing their stem-cell identity,” said Anna Lasorella, professor of pediatrics and pathology at Columbia University, who, together with Professor Antonio Iavarone, heads the team of scientists behind the study.Antonio Iavarone explained that “By inactivating ID2, we obviously deprive the tumour of a process essential to its preservation. Understanding the sequence of events that glioblastoma, and possibly other human cancers rely on to survive, this is an important step towards new therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, this is not yet a cure, and further studies are required before the new discovery can be translated into treatment.”(Source). -- source link

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