Animal models are necessary tools in the scientific community, as they allow investigators to control for genetics and other variables. Animal models of cancer are mostly comparative living systems that help scientists uncover the causes of cancer, the mechanisms of metastasis, and methods for preventing and treating the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. […]
p53 is known to play a critical role in a broad range of functions—DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis—to conserve gene stability, thus suppressing tumor development. Millions of cancer patients have defects in p53 signaling, possessing either a mutant p53 or an inactive wild type p53 that has lost its antitumor activity. Efforts […]
Biologics are large molecules—hormones, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines—created by the process of recombinant DNA technology in living cells. These products have greatly contributed to therapeutic breakthroughs in oncology and inflammatory disorders among others. As patents for many of these biologics begin to expire in the next few years, opportunities arise for developing generic versions of […]
The human body is filled with about 100 trillion microorganisms or bacteria in its intestines, which is much more than even the number of cells in the body. These gut bacteria aid in fermenting undigested carbohydrates and consume fatty acids. The microbes are also found in other mammals. New research shows that these gut microbes […]
While the most common animal models used in scientific research are lab rats and mice, pet dogs may also be useful animals to study. Nature Reviews mentions that dogs and humans have many similar characteristics such as tumor genetics, molecular targets, treatment responses, and even biological mannerisms. Thereby analyzing cancer in dogs and comparing findings […]
Cancer research has advanced tremendously over the years due to the significant benefits of mouse model studies. However, it has taken longer than anticipated to develop cancer drugs that are both effective in animal models and human clinical trials. Cancer research has only a 10 percent success rate of drugs that are both compelling in […]
Approximately 75% of breast cancers are diagnosed as hormone positive and exhibit acceptable responses to endocrine-targeted therapies, whereas 7-15% are ER-/PR- Her2+ or ER-/PR-/HER2- – which are somewhat refractory to conventional endocrine treatment. Gene variations, different cancer subtypes, and diverse histopathologies and clinical outcomes among patients all present a challenge to currently available breast cancer […]
Scientists have spent the last century developing better cancer treatments and uncovering causes of tumor growth in order to save lives. However, today the U.S.-based scientific community is able to do little without the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Luckily, the FDA has recently moved forward in enhancing cancer treatments and research […]
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in many developed countries and its rates have been increasing among young adults. Numerous established animal models have played a significant role in understanding the molecular events that contribute to colon cancer pathology and in providing a platform for testing new chemopreventive compounds. Among these […]
One of the most alarming concerns of a sunny sky is the potential for developing skin cancer. Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, but animal models for this cancer may provide answers and improved treatments for patients. Nearly 52,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with melanoma annually while about 8,000 […]