Researchers have found potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neuroblastoma, the most frequent solid tumour in young children.
By analyzing human malignant neoplasm cells in vitro and after xenotransplantation into mice and chicks, a group of scientists, headed by Patrick Mehlen, at Universite de Lyon, France, discovered the protein NT-3 and the cell-surface molecule to which it unites (TrkC).
In the research, NT-3 was found to be expressed at heightened levels in aggressive human malignant neoplasms and to block up the capability of TrkC to persuadetumour cell death by a process called apoptosis.
In vitro analysis of human neuroblastoma cell lines pointed that both declining NT-3 expression and culturing in the company of an antibody, which blocked NT-3 tying to TrkC actuated the cells to go through apoptosis.
More significantly, blocking up the NT-3/TrkC interaction curbed tumour growth and metastasis in both a chick and a mouse xenograft model of neuroblastoma.
The researchers therefore hint that upsetting the NT-3/TrkC interaction might offer a new approach to treating neuroblastoma for which healing options are currently limited. (With Input from Agencies)
From http://www.topnews.in/
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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