Liver cancer is the third leading cancer killer in the world.
Researchers are looking into regulatory molecules called microRNA as a link to this deadly disease.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously encoded RNAs that regulate the stability or translation of mRNA molecules. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a molecule of RNA that encodes a chemical "blueprint" for a protein product.
Study shows that the loss of microRNA-122 leads to liver cancer. Developing a drug that targets and restores microRNA-122 may offer a new way to treat liver cancer.
Loss of tiny liver molecule might lead to liver cancer
A new study shows that loss of a small RNA molecule in liver cells might cause liver cancer and that restoring the molecule might slow tumor growth and offer a new way to treat the disease.
The animal study was led by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
The scientists examined what happens when liver cells lack a molecule called microRNA-122 (miR-122). They found that when the molecule is missing, the liver develops fat deposits, inflammation and tumors that resemble hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.
When the researchers artificially restored miR-122 to nearly normal levels by delivering the miR-122 gene into liver cells, it dramatically reduced the size and number of tumors, with tumors making up 8 percent on average of liver surface area in treated animals versus 40 percent in control animals.
The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Researchers are looking into regulatory molecules called microRNA as a link to this deadly disease.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously encoded RNAs that regulate the stability or translation of mRNA molecules. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a molecule of RNA that encodes a chemical "blueprint" for a protein product.
Study shows that the loss of microRNA-122 leads to liver cancer. Developing a drug that targets and restores microRNA-122 may offer a new way to treat liver cancer.
Loss of tiny liver molecule might lead to liver cancer
A new study shows that loss of a small RNA molecule in liver cells might cause liver cancer and that restoring the molecule might slow tumor growth and offer a new way to treat the disease.
The animal study was led by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
The scientists examined what happens when liver cells lack a molecule called microRNA-122 (miR-122). They found that when the molecule is missing, the liver develops fat deposits, inflammation and tumors that resemble hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.
When the researchers artificially restored miR-122 to nearly normal levels by delivering the miR-122 gene into liver cells, it dramatically reduced the size and number of tumors, with tumors making up 8 percent on average of liver surface area in treated animals versus 40 percent in control animals.
The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
