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
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Lack of Correlation in Cancer Cells May Complicate Drug Development

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Sep 2017
Print article
Image: A scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an ovarian cancer cell (Photo courtesy of Steve Gschmeissner / SPL).
Image: A scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an ovarian cancer cell (Photo courtesy of Steve Gschmeissner / SPL).
Cancer researchers have are warning drug developers that in about 62% of ovarian cancer cell samples levels of messenger RNA and protein did not accurately reflect changes in gene activity.

High-throughput technologies have identified significant changes in patterns of mRNA expression over cancer development but the functional significance of these changes often rests upon the assumption that observed changes in levels of mRNA accurately reflect changes in levels of their encoded proteins. To test this assumption, investigators at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, USA) examined the activity of 4,436 genes, their subsequently transcribed messenger RNA, and the resulting proteins in ovarian cancer cells donated by a single patient.

They reported in the August 15, 2017, online edition of the journal Scientific Reports that the overall correlation between global changes in levels of mRNA and their encoding proteins was low. The majority of differences were on the protein level with no corresponding change on the mRNA level. Indirect and direct evidence indicated that a significant fraction of the differences may have been mediated by microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of noncoding 19- to 25-nucleotide RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in a sequence specific manner, inducing translational repression or mRNA degradation, depending on the degree of complement 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.

"A lot of mutations in cancer are mutations in production levels. The proteins are being overexpressed," said senior author Dr. John F. McDonald, professor of biological sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "The messenger RNA-protein connection is important because proteins are usually the targets of gene-based cancer therapies. And drug developers typically measure messenger RNA levels thinking they will tell them what the protein levels are. The idea that any change in RNA level in cancerous development flows all the way up to the protein level could be leading to drug targeting errors. So, there are going to be many instances where if you are predicting what to give therapeutically to a patient based on RNA, your prescription could easily be incorrect. Drug developers could be aiming at targets that are not there and also not shooting for targets that are there."

Related Links:
Georgia Institute of Technology

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
Gold Member
Cancer Mutation Profiling Liquid Kit
OncoScreen Plus

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: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.