Why Down syndrome patients are less likely to develop cancer
May 21st, 2009 - 2:13 pm ICT by ANI ( Leave a comment )London, May 21 (ANI): A new study sheds light on why people with Down syndrome are less likely to develop cancer.
The research team from Children’s Hospital Boston has showed that since the patients have an extra copy of chromosome 21, it appears that people with Down syndrome may be getting an extra dose of one or more cancer-protective genes.
Lead researcher Dr Sandra Ryeom discovered that a single extra copy of Dscr1 is capable to suppress angiogenesis, the development of blood vessels essential for cancer’s growth and tumour growth in mice.
The gene has also been found to inhibit angiogenesis in human cells.
The researchers showed that DSCR1 acts by suppressing signalling by the angiogenesis-promoting protein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
With an extra copy of Dscr1, the cells, which make up blood vessel walls showed a decreased growth response to VEGF in mouse model.
An extra copy of another chromosome 21 gene, Dyrk1A, also appeared to decrease cells’ response to VEGF.
“I think there may be four or five genes on chromosome 21 that are necessary for angiogenesis suppression,” Nature quoted Ryeom as saying.
“In huge databases of cancer patients with solid tumors, there are very few with Down syndrome. This suggests that protection from chromosome 21 genes is pretty complete,” she added. (ANI)
- Morphine may block tumour growth - Jul 29, 2010
- Targeting protein helps keep melanoma tumour growth in check - Dec 10, 2010
- Novel method might help block for tumour growth - Mar 15, 2011
- How breast cancer cells dodge immune system and survive - Feb 02, 2011
- Stress, depression linked to shorter survival in cancer patients - Apr 29, 2011
- Molecule that can increase blood flow in vascular disease identified - Mar 11, 2011
- Herbal remedy beats brain cancer - Jul 13, 2011
- MicroRNAs could increase amputation risk in diabetics - Jan 13, 2011
- Diagnostic blood test can successfully identify rare lung disease - Jul 06, 2010
- Excess oxygen could slow formation of wrinkles - Jun 30, 2010
- Boffins identify 'gas pedal', 'brake' for uncontrolled cell growth - Aug 02, 2010
- Two gene variants in dengue identified - Oct 18, 2011
- Scientists boost stem cells' ability to promote tissue regeneration - Oct 06, 2009
- Chemo-Vandetanib combo effective for lung cancer treatment: Study - Jun 06, 2010
- Simple blood test to detect Down's syndrome cuts miscarriage risk - Mar 07, 2011
Tags: blood vessel walls, blood vessels, cancer patients, chromosome 21, down syndrome, dr sandra, extra copy, gene dyrk1a, genes, growth response, hospital boston, human cells, mice, mouse model, researcher, s hospital, syndrome patients, tumors, vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor vegf
