Clin Epigenet: Specific Epigenetic Markers Expected to Reveal Mechanisms of Progression and Metastasis in Various Cancers

In a recent study published in the Clinical Epigenetics entitled "Characterization of DNA methylation changes in EBF3 and TBC1D16 associated with tumor progression and metastasis in multiple cancer types," scientists from the University of Otago have identified a variety of cancer cell biomarkers that may help clinicians identify which cancer cells are more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

The results of this study may provide clinicians and patients with more clear ideas to elucidate the mechanism of cancer cell spread and how to use effective therapies for the treatment of different types of cancer at a later stage. Early detection of the rate of cancer spread may help improve the prognosis of cancer patients, said researcher Euan Rodger.

In most patients who die of cancer, the spread of cancer from one organ to another is often considered highly lethal, and tracking the spread of cancer has become an important weapon against cancer. In the study, researchers wanted to see if new molecular changes existed in other types of cancer cells, albeit with some confusion, but in general, the researchers got the answers they wanted.

Based on the results of this study, the researchers are expected to develop novel strategies to track the therapeutic effects of cancer patients in the future; next, researchers will also continue to conduct in-depth studies to find more epigenetic markers to reveal the mechanisms of progression and metastasis of many types of cancer.

Proteins Identified as Key to Stem Cell Production

A multinational team of scientists led by Professor Benjamin Blencowe of the University of Toronto has identified proteins that play a key role in the control of pluripotency, which may mean a possible breakthrough in the production of so-called induced pluripotent stem cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells are of great value for medical research because they can flexibly develop into many different types of cells. However, producing these cells is challenging because the proteins that control their production are largely unknown

The team discovered these proteins using a tiling code developed by Professor Blencowe several years ago.

"The mechanisms that control embryonic stem cell pluripotency have been a mystery for some time," explains Dr. Brendan Frey, also from the University of Toronto, who co-authored the study published in the journal Nature.

"However, Professor Blencowe and his team found that the proteins identified by our splicing code can activate or reduce the pluripotency of stem cells."

"Suppose you've tasted a lot of delicacies, but you have no idea what it takes to make them. Then, one day, you will find that all gourmet food cooks will use something called a "measuring cup". Now you know important information about how to prepare dishes, and you know the "control knobs" that can be turned to make different dishes, just as adjusting the amount of butter and flour produces different kinds of pastries.

Dr Frey said: "Although the complete formula for producing induced pluripotent stem cells may not yet be available, it looks more likely at first."

Collected by Creative BioMart.