We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




MicroRNA Treatment Prevents Breast Cancer in Mouse Model

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Jan 2014
Print article
Image: Milk ducts in cancer-prone mice are packed with tumor cells (deep purple cells, shown by arrow), causing the ducts to grow fatter. However, milk ducts in mice treated with a gene-silencing nanoparticle remain mostly hollow (right, shown by arrows), like healthy ducts (Photo courtesy of Dr. Amy Brock, Harvard University Medical School).
Image: Milk ducts in cancer-prone mice are packed with tumor cells (deep purple cells, shown by arrow), causing the ducts to grow fatter. However, milk ducts in mice treated with a gene-silencing nanoparticle remain mostly hollow (right, shown by arrows), like healthy ducts (Photo courtesy of Dr. Amy Brock, Harvard University Medical School).
Mice that had been genetically engineered to develop breast cancer were protected from the disease by injections of nanoparticles containing a specific microRNA (miRNA) directly into their milk ducts.

Investigators at Harvard University Medical School (Boston, MA, USA) were looking for biomarkers to better identify and treat breast lesions at the earliest possible stage of development. Working with transgenic C3(1)-SV40TAg mice, they used computational gene network modeling to identify the HoxA1 (Homeobox A1) protein as a putative driver of early mammary cancer progression. Previous studies had shown the HOXA1 gene was repressed by the microRNA miR-10a.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a small noncoding family of 19- to 25-nucleotide RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs in a sequence specific manner, inducing translational repression or mRNA degradation, depending on the degree of complementarity between miRNAs and their targets. Many miRNAs are conserved in sequence between distantly related organisms, suggesting that these molecules participate in essential processes. In fact, miRNAs have been shown to be involved in the regulation of gene expression during development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, glucose metabolism, stress resistance, and cancer.

The investigators hypothesized that the progression of breast cancer could be blocked by RNA interference (RNAi) therapy and set out to develop a targeted therapeutic delivery strategy. Initially, they found that silencing the HOXA1 gene in cultured mouse or human mammary tumor spheroids resulted in increased lumen formation, reduced tumor cell proliferation, and restoration of normal epithelial polarization.

When the HOXA1 gene was silenced in vivo via intraductal delivery of nanoparticles loaded with miRNA through the nipple of transgenic mice with early-stage disease, mammary epithelial cell proliferation rates were suppressed, loss of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression was prevented, and tumor incidence was reduced by 75%. These findings were published in the January 1, 2014, online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine.

"The findings open up the possibility of someday treating patients who have a genetic propensity for cancer, which could change people's lives and alleviate great anxiety," said senior author Dr. Don Ingber, professor of vascular biology and bioengineering at Harvard University Medical School. "The idea would be start giving it early on and sustain treatment throughout life to prevent cancer development or progression."

"This work marks a milestone not just in breast cancer research, but in systems biology," said Dr. Ingber. "Combining computational, engineering, and biological approaches has led to a new way to identify drugs that prevent cancer development and progression."

Related Links:

Harvard University Medical School


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.