Drs. Kim Soo-ok and Hong Sun-pyo at GeneMatrix on Tuesday said they developed new technology to identify the human papillomavirus virus gene for cervical cancer. The technology is known as laser-based spectrometry assay. Their findings were published in the September issue of Nature Protocols, a sister magazine of Nature.
Up until recently, researchers had diagnosed viruses by checking if specific virus genes fit together, like the teeth of a zip. But in some cases this technique had led to misdiagnoses, since even disparate genes sometimes fit together.

Hong said, “Kinds of virus genes are determined by DNA sequences. As each genetic base has different mass, it’s possible to identify genes if we can measure their mass.” The research team said their equipment has the world’s best ability to identify all of the 74 virus gene types found in the human body.

Read the original article here.

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

By Dr Ellie Cannon Read the original article here

 It is a routine medical procedure that most women hate having - a smear test to check for cervical cancer.

With Big Brother celebrity Jade Goody the most high-profile case of a young woman suffering from the disease, it is clear that ignoring either the warning signs or test results can have dramatic consequences for women aged 25 to 75.

Q: Will my daughter need smear tests if she’s had the new HPV vaccine?

A: Absolutely. One of the worries for doctors regarding the new vaccine is that women will be less vigilant about cervical screening. Not all cases of cervical cancer are from HPV (Human papilloma virus) which is spread via sexual contact, so she will still need a smear every three years once she’s 25.

Q: My smear test came back as abnormal. Do I have cancer?

A: Not necessarily. An abnormal result suggests there were some changes in the cells that may be an indication of a pre-cancer stage - known as CIN. It does not mean you definitely have the pre-cancer stage; it means a closer look is needed. Some women have these changes from infections or from medication they are taking.

Q: Should I be worried about my test result?

A: You should not panic but you must not ignore it. Go back to your doctor and discuss the results and the next step. There are different degrees of abnormal results. For most you will need to repeat the smear within a year or six months. For other, more serious changes you will be referred to the hospital straight away.

Q: My GP says I need a colposcopy. What is that?

A: It is an examination of the cervix and is usually performed by a gynaecologist in hospital. You will be in a similar position to having a smear but it takes much longer and is done using a special microscope that allows the specialist to take a more detailed look at the cervix.

Q: Why should I bother getting the repeat? Can’t I just go straight to the hospital?

A: In many cases, the changes on the original abnormal smear become normal when the smear is repeated so it wouldn’t be needed and you would have endured an uncomfortable procedure unnecessarily.

Q: My smear test was normal. When should I come back?

A: After three years if you are under 50 years of age, after five years if you are over 50. Scientific evidence has shown that if women are screened every three years, more than 90 per cent of pre-cancer cases are picked up. It used to be every five years for everyone, but the pick-up rate was not as good.

Q: I hate having smears; is there an alternative?

A: Nobody feels happy having a smear test as it is embarrassing and uncomfortable. But it is also a quick and reliable way of preventing a cancer that still kills women. There are no other dependable ways of screening.

Q: What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

A: Any unexpected bleeding - for example, after the menopause or after sex. Pelvic pain can also be a sign.

Q: Where can I get a test?

A: Most women go to their local GP. The smear will be done by your doctor or the practice nurse. The results take between six and eight weeks. Routine smears are not normally done by gynaecologists on the NHS, but you can see a gynaecologist privately as part of a well-woman check.

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

Cervical cancer causes are commonly related to a sexually transmitted virus called the human papilloma virus or ‘HPV’. Most HPV infections will not lead to cervical cancer early symptoms and cancer. However, infection with these viral types can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Certain changes called ‘high-grade lesions’ may progress to early symptoms of cervical cancer and cervical cancer if not treated.

Common cervical cancer early symptoms include these symptoms:
• Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period
• Increased urinary frequency

When cervical cancer early symptoms are suspected, Pap smears are the best screening technique currently available to evaluate the cells on the face of the cervix. The Pap smear is a test for the early symptoms of cervical cancer such as cancerous or pre-cancerous cells of the cervix. Most Pap smear test results are rated from Class I through Class V.

• Class I is normal,
• Class II means an irritation or inflammation,
• Class III means it is a true cervical dysplasia that can range from mild to serious,
• Class IV may be one of a variety of pre-cancers or cancers,
• Class V is one of the serious invasive cervical cancer signs.

Pap smear tests are necessary, but they are not always accurate. And their results sometimes appear normal even when a woman has the abnormal cells of cancer. If cervical cancer early symptoms are suspected and the Pap smear test comes back either as normal or as positive, consider getting another Pap smear from a different laboratory and a second opinion from another doctor. If your Pap smear shows dysplasia, a biopsy can rule out cervical cancer.

Another testing method being developed uses a small fiber optic probe that may replace pap smears. This method is still being tested. Hopefully, it should give women more accurate screenings, eliminate unnecessary biopsies and help diagnose cervical cancer early symptoms and early cancer stages. Ask your doctor if this or a more accurate test for cervical cancer is now available.

Early symptoms of cervical cancer often go on without the woman suspecting that a problem exists! Cervical cancer is usually a slow-growing cancer. As a result, cervical cancer is often diagnosed and treated in an advanced stage when the success rate is much lower. Most women with invasive cervical cancer will be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation or some combination of these. And a hysterectomy may be recommended as a consequence of cervical cancer that has spread within the cervix.

With the ovaries being an important source of hormone production, a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is a major event with health consequences for a woman. Even if the ovaries are not removed, their function will become impaired within 1-2 years after a partial hysterectomy, again with related health consequences.

Understand what the cervical cancer early symptoms are so that proper medical help can be obtained when needed. And learn more about the early menopause symptoms and side effects of hysterectomy, two important related womens health concerns.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olinda_Rola

Rola, Olinda “Cervical Cancer Early Symptoms - 7 Early Symptoms of Cervical Cancer.” Cervical Cancer Early Symptoms - 7 Early Symptoms of Cervical Cancer. 26 Jul. 2006. EzineArticles.com. 9 Sep 2008 http://ezinearticles.com/?Cervical-Cancer-Early-Symptoms—7-Early-Symptoms-of-Cervical-Cancer&id=253084

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

If it has been a number of years since your last Pap test, or if you have never had a Pap test at all, this information can help put you more at ease during your appointment with your doctor or clinician.
What is a Pap test?
A Pap test finds problems that can be treated before they turn into cervical cancer. A Pap test also can find cancer early. If cervical cancer is found early, it’s easier to cure.
Could I have cervical cancer and not know it?
YES–often cervical cancer does not cause pain or other symptoms.

If I’ve gone through menopause, do I still need a Pap test?
Most women still need to get Pap tests. This decision depends on your age and past Pap test results. Talk with your doctor about what is right for you.
If I’ve had a hysterectomy, do I still need a Pap test?
After a hysterectomy, you still need to get Pap tests if:

You had a partial hysterectomy (an operation that removed the uterus but not the cervix)
You had a total hysterectomy (an operation that removed the uterus and the cervix) to treat cervical cancer or a condition that might lead to cancerYou may not need to get Pap tests if you have had a total hysterectomy for other reasons (e.g., fibroids). Talk with your doctor about what is right for you.
If I’m not sexually active now do I still need a Pap test?
Women who are not currently sexually active may still need a Pap test. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted virus called the (HPV) Human Papillomavirus that can live in the body for many years.
How often should I get a Pap test?
You should have a Pap test at least once every 3 years. If you are age 65 or older, talk with your doctor about whether you still need to get Pap tests. You and your doctor can decide what testing schedule is right for you based on your past Pap test results.
Where do I get a Pap test?
Doctor’s office
Medical clinic
Local health department

How is a Pap test done?
For a Pap test, you lie on an exam table. A nurse or doctor will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to look inside your vagina. He or she then uses a small, soft brush to take a few cells from your cervix (opening to the uterus). This test takes only a few seconds. A lab will check these cells for cancer or other problems.
A Pap test is important to me because it can:

Find abnormal cervical cell changes before they have a chance to become cancerous.
Tell if you have cervical cancer early—while it’s still easier to cure.

Does Medicare help pay for Pap tests?
Medicare helps pay for a screening Pap test every two years. Medicare may pay more often if medically necessary. For Medicare payment information, visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
Call your doctor or local medical clinic TODAY for a Pap test appointment.

Pap tests can save your life!

For more information on the Pap test, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Web site at www.cancer.gov or call the NCI’s Cancer Information Service:

1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

For Medicare Information, visit the Web site at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

Researchers in the United States, led by J. Scott Smith of Kansas State University, have found that rosemary can break up the potentially cancer-causing compounds that may form when the meat is cooked.

“Put a little bit on the surface. Rosemary extracts shouldn’t have much of an aroma to them. Most people don’t want a rosemary-flavoured burger. So if you get the extract you don’t really know it’s there,” Smith said.

Smith’s findings began with research into commercial rosemary extracts’ effect on stopping HCAs from forming in cooked beef patties. His research group found that the HCAs were reduced in levels ranging from 30 to 100 per cent.

The presence of HCAs is a potential problem in cooked beef. The likelihood of their presence is influenced by cooking time and temperature.

Although lower temperatures and shorter cooking times can reduce the risk of HCA formation, those alternatives have their own problems. Lower temperatures can affect the taste adversely, Smith explained .

The next time when you cook meat at home, just add a touch of rosemary - apart from being a popular seasoning on its own, it can prevent cancer, a new study has claimed.Researchers in the United States, led by J. Scott Smith of Kansas State University, have found that rosemary can break up the potentially cancer-causing compounds that may form when the meat is cooked.

“Put a little bit on the surface. Rosemary extracts shouldn’t have much of an aroma to them. Most people don’t want a rosemary-flavoured burger. So if you get the extract you don’t really know it’s there,” Smith said.

Smith’s findings began with research into commercial rosemary extracts’ effect on stopping HCAs from forming in cooked beef patties. His research group found that the HCAs were reduced in levels ranging from 30 to 100 per cent.

The presence of HCAs is a potential problem in cooked beef. The likelihood of their presence is influenced by cooking time and temperature.

Although lower temperatures and shorter cooking times can reduce the risk of HCA formation, those alternatives have their own problems. Lower temperatures can affect the taste adversely, Smith explained

Press Trust of India

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

Dr Gerard Wain, from the Department of Gynaecological Oncology at the Westmead Hospital in Sydney, said HPV vaccines are about preventing future infections while cervical cytology detects cytological abnormalities from previous infections.

“It is important that the benefits of these two approaches to cervical cancer prevention are not confused, and that all women receive the best and most appropriate combination of the two effective technologies,” he said.

“The link between HPV infection and the consequent risk of developing cervical cancer is well documented. The promise of a cancer vaccine is alluring to women who perceive a risk of cervical cancer, but we have to make sure that the available vaccine does not promise to deliver beyond its capacity.”

Most people encounter genital HPV soon after the onset of sexual activity, with the highest risk of infection in the first five to 10 years after sexual activity.

Dr Wain said that for whatever reason, some individuals do not clear their infections, and if these infections are caused by a high-risk variety of HPV, this persistence will lead to activation of oncogenic vital proteins, the loss of cellular control mechanisms and potentially, malignant growths.

“Screening programs based on cytology have had significant impacts on the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer by detecting these potential cancer precursors, but HPV vaccines can primarily prevent the infection.

“HPV vaccines allow the opportunity to enlist the woman’s own immune system to develop neutralising antibodies but studies indicate that current vaccines will only be effective if administered before exposure.

“These vaccines have shown no therapeutic efficacy for pre-existing infections,” he said.

Trials of both commercially-available vaccines, while demonstrating nearly 100 per cent efficacy in HPV-naïve populations, have shown diminished efficacy in populations due to exposure prior to vaccination.

Dr Wain said excessive promotion of these vaccines for use in women in the 24 to 45 year age group potentially diverts attention away from established methods of cervical cancer prevention based on cervical cytology.

“In the older age group, the vaccine is likely to be of substantially reduced efficacy because of either previous exposure or reduced risk of future exposure,” he said.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

Source-MJA
SRM/ga

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

Read the original article here.

Here is a clip from the article;
“Though the public has heard about cancer breakthroughs for decades, cancer rates are still inching upward. A cure remains elusive.
“The challenge is that cancer isn’t one disease,” said Sullivan. “It’s hundreds of diseases. It’s hundreds of very specific processes that don’t respond to one silver bullet.””

I disagree with the statement that cancer is hundreds of different diseases.

From what I understand, cancer is a problem in the DNA of a cell. I don’t think it matters of which organ the cell is part. The DNA becomes damaged in some way. Cells with damaged DNA are supposed to die or be destroyed by a natural process in the body.

Yes we name the cancer by the part of the body in which the cancer starts. The cells that are damaged are local to that organ. When the cancer metastasizes, travels to a different part of the body, we know that the cancer cells are actually cells from the organ where the first DNA damage occurred.

Our cells all have a built in mechanism of replication. This is how our bodies are maintained. The cells in our bodies are continually being replaced. Cancer occurs when the DNA becomes damaged and that damaged cell replicates using the damaged DNA as a “blueprint” for replication. The result is an abnormal cell but that abnormal cell usually dies.

Sometimes the abnormal cells don’t die. Sometimes these abnormal cells start to replicate and the result is a tumor.

My simplistic description is pretty much the same for all cancer types. The key to solving the cancer issue is in the cells. In the DNA and proteins that cause cells with damaged DNA to replicate and then in the process that should discriminate against cells with damaged DNA. The process all takes place in the cell. The process is the same for each cell and is the same for each type of cancer. When the process is figured out the remedy will solve the problem for all the types of cancer.

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

What is genital HPV infection?

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas of men and women, including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), and anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, and rectum. You cannot see HPV. Most people who become infected with HPV do not even know they have it.

What are the symptoms and potential consequences of HPV?

Most people with HPV do not develop symptoms or health problems. But sometimes, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts in men and women. Other HPV types can cause cervical cancer and other less common cancers, such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause cancer.

HPV types are often referred to as “low-risk” (wart-causing) or “high-risk” (cancer-causing), based on whether they put a person at risk for cancer. In 90% of cases, the body’s immune system clears the HPV infection naturally within two years. This is true of both high-risk and low-risk types.

Genital warts usually appear as small bumps or groups of bumps, usually in the genital area. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped. They can appear on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. Warts may appear within weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person. Or, they may not appear at all. If left untreated, genital warts may go away, remain unchanged, or increase in size or number. They will not turn into cancer.

Cervical cancer does not have symptoms until it is quite advanced. For this reason, it is important for women to get screened regularly for cervical cancer.

Other less common HPV-related cancers, such as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus and penis, also may not have signs or symptoms until they are advanced.

How do people get genital HPV?

Genital HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. A person can have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sex. Most infected persons do not realize they are infected or that they are passing the virus to a sex partner.

Very rarely, a pregnant woman with genital HPV can pass HPV to her baby during vaginal delivery. In these cases, the child may develop warts in the throat or voice box - a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).

How does HPV cause genital warts and cancer?

HPV can cause normal cells on infected skin or mucous membranes to turn abnormal. Most of the time, you cannot see or feel these cell changes. In most cases, the body fights off HPV naturally and the infected cells then go back to normal.

• Sometimes, low-risk types of HPV can cause visible changes that take the form of genital warts.
• If a high-risk HPV infection is not cleared by the immune system, it can linger for many years and turn abnormal cells into cancer over time. About 10% of women with high-risk HPV on their cervix will develop long-lasting HPV infections that put them at risk for cervical cancer. Similarly, when high-risk HPV lingers and infects the cells of the penis, anus, vulva, or vagina, it can cause cancer in those areas. But these cancers are much less common than cervical cancer.

How common are HPV and

related diseases? HPV infection. Approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and another 6.2 million people become newly infected each year. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.

Genital warts. About 1% of sexually active adults in the

U.S. have genital warts at any one time.

Cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, 11,070 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Other HPV-related cancers are much less common than cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, there will be:

• 3,460 women diagnosed with vulvar cancer
• 2,210 women diagnosed with vaginal and other female genital cancers
• 1,250 men diagnosed with penile and other male genital cancers
• 3,050 women and 2,020 men diagnosed with anal cancer.

Certain populations may be at higher risk for HPV-related cancers, such as gay and bisexual men, and individuals with weak immune systems (including those who have HIV/AIDS).

RRP is very rare. It is estimated that less than 2,000 children get RRP every year.

How can people prevent HPV?

A vaccine can now protect females from the four types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.

For those who choose to be sexually active, condoms may lower the risk of HPV, if used all the time and the right way. Condoms may also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases, such as genital warts and cervical cancer. But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom- so condoms may not fully protect against HPV. So the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.

Individuals can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no or few sex partners. However, even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. For those who are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, limiting the number of sex partners and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners may lower the risk of infection. But it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected.

How can people prevent HPV-related diseases?

There are important steps females can take to prevent cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine can protect against most cervical cancers (see above). Cervical cancer can also be prevented with routine cervical cancer screening and follow-up of abnormal results. The Pap test can identify abnormal or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix so that they can be removed before cancer develops. An HPV DNA test, which can find high-risk HPV on a woman’s cervix, may also be used with a Pap test in certain cases. The HPV test can help healthcare professionals decide if more tests or treatment are needed. Even women who got the vaccine when they were younger need regular cervical cancer screening because the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers.

There is currently no vaccine licensed to prevent HPV-related diseases in males. Studies are now being done to find out if the vaccine is also safe in men, and if it can protect them against HPV and related conditions. The FDA will consider licensing the vaccine for boys and men if there is proof that it is safe and effective for them. There is also no approved screening test to find early signs of penile or anal cancer. Some experts recommend yearly anal Pap tests for gay and bisexual men and for HIV-positive persons because anal cancer is more common in these populations. Scientists are still studying how best to screen for penile and anal cancers in those who may be at highest risk for those diseases.

Generally, cesarean delivery is not recommended for women with genital warts to prevent RRP in their babies. This is because it is unclear whether cesarean delivery actually prevents RRP in infants and children.

Is there a test for HPV?

The HPV test on the market is only used as part of cervical cancer screening. There is no general test for men or women to check one’s overall “HPV status.” HPV usually goes away on its own, without causing health problems. So an HPV infection that is found today will most likely not be there a year or two from now. For this reason, there is no need to be tested just to find out if you have HPV now. However, you should get tested for signs of disease that HPV can cause, such as cervical cancer.

• Genital warts are diagnosed by visual inspection. Some health care providers may use acetic acid, a vinegar solution, to help identify flat warts. But this is not a sensitive test so it may wrongly identify normal skin as a wart.
• Cervical cell changes can be identified by routine Pap tests. The HPV test can identify high-risk HPV types on a woman’s cervix, which can cause cervical cell changes and cancer.
• As noted above, there is currently no approved test to find HPV or related cancers in men. But HPV is very common and HPV-related cancers are very rare in men.

Is there a treatment for HPV or related diseases?

There is no treatment for the virus itself, but a healthy immune system can usually fight off HPV naturally. There are treatments for the diseases that HPV can cause:

Visible genital warts can be removed by patient-applied medications, or treated by a health care provider. Some individuals choose to forego treatment to see if the warts will disappear on their own. No one treatment is better than another.

Cervical cancer is most treatable when it is diagnosed and treated early. But women who get routine Pap testing and follow up as needed can identify problems before cancer develops. Prevention is always better than treatment.

Other HPV-related cancers are also more treatable when diagnosed and treated early.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.cdc.gov/stdwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpvwww.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical

CDC-INFO Contact Center

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

American Social Health Association (ASHA)National HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

When I walked into the Gynocologic Oncology clinic at Magee Women’s Hospital this morning the first person I saw was a woman wearing a scarf to conceal her lack of hair. That made my stomach tighten a little but I pushed on in. After I checked in and filled out the registration paperwork I took a seat in the waiting room. It was very strange to be there. I half expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me I had been Punk’d. No such luck, though. Ashton never showed his cute little face. My name was finally called and I followed a nice nurse even further into this little adventure of mine. After taking my vitals she showed me to an office where I waited to meet one Dr. Thomas Krivak.You know how you get a feeling about people when you first meet them? Good or bad, there is always a gut feeling. Well, I got a good one. He is very down to earth and relaxed and when we talked it was more like just having a conversation not ‘my first consultation with the cancer surgeon’.

It felt a little surreal, though, when he said that if I did need chemo that he would have to go back in after the initial surgery and do another procedure to put a port into my abdomen. I guess they fill your belly with chemo and then let you sort of marinade in it for a while until your system absorbs it. But that all depends on the treatment plan and IF they find cancer. He also wants to remove my appendix while he’s in there, as well as both ovaries and my little invader, who is about the size of a small grapefruit now (aren’t you glad you asked?). He scheduled my surgery for May 7th which is about three weeks from now but if there is a cancellation he will try to get me in sooner.

So I had all my pre-op stuff done today before I left the hospital. I had an EKG and a chest Xray done along with bloodwork. I hate getting blood drawn. My veins are so small that I always seem to end up getting poked three or four times before they finally hit the vein. It was no different this time. The nurse tried my left inner arm at the elbow first and got nothing, then tried the back of my left hand. That vein blew so she called the IV team and they sent someone else in to try. The second woman managed to snag a vein in my right arm but barely got all that she needed before it just went dry. All totaled she took about 20cc in 5 different tubes.

posted by Connie at 8:26 PM on Apr 14, 2008

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice

The ability to respond to chemical insults is of particular importance because these insults often lead to cancer or other cellular problems. Chemical insults - the presence of a potentially problematic chemical - can lead to a wide range of negative effects on a cell.

An international team of cancer biologists led by Paul Talalay of the Hopkins School of Medicine recently published an analysis of the activity of one such system, a natural defense against a particularly potent type of cellular injury.

The group looked at a cancer-fighting mechanism that involves the activation of a number of proteins.

They determined that a buildup of harmful chemicals in a cell, many of which are linked to common cancers, can switch on this system through a simple and elegant pathway.

These proteins, which include glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and NADPH-quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), are enzymes that act as antioxidants, ridding cells of a particularly dangerous class of molecules called free radicals.

A free radical is a particle with an extra, unpaired electron. This electron is highly reactive and willing to combine with just about any other chemical, so free radicals are able to damage or destroy sensitive tissues in the body, often by targeting DNA.

The genes that code for proteins like GST and NQO1 are controlled by antioxidant response elements, or AREs, which bind to the genes and activate the production of the corresponding proteins.

The problem is that free radicals are created naturally by many normal cellular functions, such as the breakdown of food for energy, as well as by exposure to environmental toxins like tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

The key is to stop this destructive process before it can spread too widely, thus increasing the chance of DNA or cellular damage. Cancer is just one of many illnesses known to be linked to free radicals. Activating AREs is a central part of the protective response.

The team worked out the chemical steps that lead to the activation of AREs. Like many biological processes, there is a natural feedback loop that has developed in this pathway.

Free radical damage causes several chemicals to accumulate in cells. These chemicals interact to activate AREs and the antioxidant response.

The team focused their efforts on NQO1, one of the two antioxidant enzymes. They performed a series of theoretical chemical analyses to determine that NQO1 is activated in two simple steps.

Both steps use reduction-oxidation or “redox” chemistry, a type of modification that involves the transfer of an electron pair between two chemicals. Oxidation refers to the gain of electrons; reduction is the loss of electrons.

In the first step, compounds called phenols are oxidized to a related chemical called quinone by the free radicals that are building up in the cell. The level of quinones floating in the cell corresponds with the amount of free radical that has been released.

In the second step, quinone oxidizes part of a protein, Keap1, that is an indirect inducer of AREs.

The oxidation of Keap1, which effectively acts as a free radical sensor, opens an opportunity for another protein to activate the ARE and transcribe the antioxidant NQO1 protein.

This pathway is elegant because it takes advantage of the natural results of free radical release, the redox class of reactions, to produce a signal the cell can understand: to produce more protein to fight these radicals.

Because the different steps in this pathway have been worked out, scientists can more effectively predict which drugs might act more effectively to induce NQO1 expression, helping cells protect themselves against free radicals and the diseases they can cause.
________________________________________
© Copyright 2008 News-Letter

Post from: Cervical Cancer Advice