BIOL 101 Liberty University War on Cancer Discussion

Individual Assignment 3 – 10 Discoveries in the War on Cancer:
1. Biochemists have discovered a protein kinase enzyme named BRAF that is an important link
in a molecular pathway that causes a cell to divide. Normally, BRAF responds to signals
coming from outside the cell—signals calling for the cell to divide normally under normal
conditions. But there is a mutation in BRAF enzymes that causes it activate the cell toward
division continually. In this way it gives rise to melanomas and thyroid or ovarian cancers.
Biochemists have also found a drug, vemurafenib, which binds selectively to mutant BRAF
totally inactivating it. Cells that have inactivated BRAF undergo apoptosis—a process that
leads to cell death. -c- destroying
2. Biochemists are analyzing the many, many components of red meat (beef and pork) to
determine which component, if any, will cause increased colorectal cancer rates in mice
when the component is administered orally. Studies have shown that higher colorectal cancer
rates in humans are associated with higher consumption rates of red meat.
3. Immunologists are investigating ways to destroy lymphocytes (white blood cells of the
immune system) that have become cancerous (lymphomas). A current drug Rituxamab
contains antibodies that bind to the surfaces of these lymphocytes setting them up for
destruction by the cancer patient’s own immune system. They are currently seeking ways to
modify the antibody’s structure so that it will attract the cancer patient’s “natural killer” (NK)
cells to the lymphocytes. Success of this project will bring a multi-faceted immune response
against lymphomas and hasten destruction.
4. Virologists are modifying lentiviruses as vectors for carrying proto-oncogenes into cancertransformed cells in culture. They are developing this virus for inserting the ras protooncogene directly into its correct location in the genome. The correct ras gene will already be
linked to human DNA on either side of it and complexed with a recombination enzyme that
will insert it into its correct location within the human genome. At the same time, the
recombination enzyme will excise the defective oncogenic form of ras. The cells in culture
should again come under normal hormonal control and require extra-cellular signals in order
to continue dividing.
5. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. It is a risk factor for
lung cancer and several other types of cancer. Results of analysis of the entire human gene
collection (the “genome”) support some previous findings that a region of human
chromosome number 15 contains one or more genes that are associated with smoking
intensity (the number of cigarettes smoked per day) and the closely related trait of nicotine
dependency. Scanning people’s genomes for these genes will help them to determine their
risk of addiction should they begin smoking tobacco.
6. Molecular biologists have developed a new sequence of human genes called an ankyrin
insulator sequence. A new corrected or therapeutic gene is placed within this sequence. Its
role is to create an active area on a human chromosome where the new gene can work
efficiently no matter what chromosome it lands on.
7. Molecular biologists have taken nanoparticle-sized spheres and used them to deliver a cellkilling toxin from bee venom to tumors in mice, substantially reducing tumor growth without
harming normal body tissues. Nanoparticles are known to concentrate in solid tumors
because blood vessels in tumors show “enhanced permeability and retention effect” or EPR.
Hence substances such as nanoparticles escape more readily from the bloodstream into
tumors and the generally poor drainage of lymph from tumors further helps trap the particles
in tumor tissue.
8. Organic chemists are exploring structural variations of the organic compound avobenzone (1[4-Methoxyphenyl]-3-[4-tert-butylphenyl] propane-1,3-dione) for inclusion in sunblock
products. Avobenzone is known for its ability to absorb a broad spectrum of ultra-violet
radiations including UVB light (known to enhance the frequency of basal cell and squamous
cell carcinomas [skin cancers]); and UVA rays thought to increase the frequency of
melanoma cancers. New variations in the structure of avobenzone are hoped to retain the
ability to absorb harmful UV radiation while having an increased stability in the presence of
that radiation.
9. Malignant brain tumors in adults are fast-growing cancers with median survival rates of 15
months, even with aggressive treatment. Researchers have been searching for genetic
“signatures” (characteristic groups of cancer-causing genes) that could help in defining the
kind of brain tumor the patient has. They hope to be better able to predict the course of the
disease and more accurately design the patient’s course of treatment.
10. Immunologists are working with a mutation (HER2) that is expressed on the surface of many
breast, bladder, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer cells. They have made antibodies against this
mutant surface protein. These antibodies have been covalently bonded to a “gene expression
vector” that makes cells light up when incubated with luciferin from fire flies. The vector
takes the gene for luciferin into the cancer cells. The researchers have shown that their
antibody can accurately find and “light up” cancer cells. Their next step is to bond the
antibody to an expression vector that carries the normal HER2 gene into mutant cancer cells.

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