Scientists have uncovered a survival mechanism that occurs in breast cells that have just turned premalignant- cells on the cusp between normalcy and cancers- which may lead to new methods of stopping tumors. In their Molecular Cell study, the Salk Institute researchers report that a protein known as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), considered a tumor suppressor in early cancer development, can actually promote cancer once a cell drifts into a pre-cancerous state. The discovery— a surprise to the investigators— raises the tantalizing possibility that, with novel treatment, some cancers might be prevented before they even develop. "Our work suggests it might be possible to halt cancer development in premalignant cells- those that are just a few divisions away from being normal," says the study's lead author, Fernando Lopez-Diaz, a researcher in the Regulatory Biology Laboratory at Salk. Agents designed to inhibit TGF-β are already being tested against cancers that have already spread, says Beverly M. Emerson, a Salk professor, head of the lab and the study's senior author. "This study offers both significant insights into early cancer development and a new direction to explore in cancer treatment," she says. "It would be fantastic if a single agent could shut down both advanced cancer and cancer that is primed to develop." Oncologists might also be able to use their discovery to predict whether premalignant cells in a patient are destined to become full-fledged cancer, Emerson adds. "Not all premalignant cells morph into cancer," she says. "Many self-destruct due to cellular protective mechanisms. But some will become tumors and, at this point, there is no way to predict which of these cells are a risk." http://www.biosciencetechnology.com...?et_cid=3274541&et_rid=505689458&location=top
They also found that genes can carry the cancer as well so with gene engineering they will one day either remove that gene or render it inactive so it won't spread the cancer on to the next generation.
Perhaps it is in Protein fold outs that our body produces that cause all these issues. Some(many) external chemical that does a bad job of protein fold outs from RNA synthesis...
I think that understanding the biochemistry of nutrients that the body needs and the quantity that our bodies needs of these nutrients will be the way to go in the future in conquering cancer And really any diseases of the Human body
I think that idea is a bit simplistic as you can never know exactly which nutrients are needed and in what amount they will be needed at any given time. As you live your life and age through the years you develop your own mix of stresses and wear and tear on your body and with it's unique genetic make up, your needs will be different than anybody elses and in a constant state of change. At the present time the best anybody can do is take a safe dose of all identified nutrients we need for a healthy life. Eat the best foods we know of in the proper amount of calories that our body needs for best body weight and get the proper daily exercise. Last but not least, is never live or work in a place that might expose you to carcinogens. The number of variables is very high and in a constant state of change. Even experts can't agree on the best formula for any one individual, so how would you expect most people to live their lives, when many couldn't afford the nutrient supplements they need or control where they can get a job and live that might be hard to come by (beggars can't afford to be choosy). Considering the lack of healthy lifestyles in the US, I would say most people don't know how to live a healthy life, and they don't raise kids that know how to live a healthy life. So the unhealthy life styles will continue to be perpetuated for many countless generations to come. It's a good bet cancers will be with us for as long as there are human beings that insists on their right to live any lifestyle they want.
