Scientists at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center have identified a molecule that may help control chemotherapy resistance in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, which accounts for approximately 90% of all ovarian cancers.
The molecule is miR-506, a non-coding micro RNA molecule that is associated with regulating gene expression. When it was added to chemotherapy treatment, the researchers saw “statistically significant improved responses” to the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and olaparib.
The findings will be published online in the July issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The team of researchers was led by Dr Wei Zhang. In a previous study Dr Zhang and his team had found that miR-506 inhibits a process known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is also associated with chemoresistance. This study found that miR-506 also regulates RAD51, a protein involved in DNA repair.
In other words, the molecule suppresses the cancer cells’ ability to repair its own DNA damages caused by chemotherapy. This makes it a very viable clinical marker for chemotherapy treatments for epithelial ovarian cancer.
Originally published by Cosmos as Battle to improve ovarian cancer chemo
Megan Toomey
Megan Toomey is a freelance journalist based in Melbourne.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
