133 lines
5.6 KiB
Plaintext
133 lines
5.6 KiB
Plaintext
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(word processor parameters LM=8, RM=75, TM=2, BM=2)
|
|
Taken from KeelyNet BBS (214) 324-3501
|
|
Sponsored by Vangard Sciences
|
|
PO BOX 1031
|
|
Mesquite, TX 75150
|
|
|
|
There are ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRICTIONS
|
|
on duplicating, publishing or distributing the
|
|
files on KeelyNet!
|
|
|
|
January 14, 1991
|
|
|
|
CANCER4.ASC
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Prevention of Cancer by increased Blood Flow
|
|
|
|
The first detailed analysis of an organ-forming protein, a natural
|
|
chemical that induces the body to sprout blood vessels, could open
|
|
new approaches to fighting cancer, heart disease and other ailments,
|
|
researchers say.
|
|
|
|
The protein, named angiogenin, was discovered and studied by
|
|
researchers at Harvard Medical School, who published their findings
|
|
in the latest issue of the journal Biochemistry. They also isolated
|
|
the gene that oversees production of the protein.
|
|
|
|
"It is the first time that a specific substance has been clearly
|
|
related to the creation of a type of organ," said Dr. Hans Neurath,
|
|
editor of Biochemistry. "That is really a first."
|
|
|
|
Cancers secrete angiogenin -- and probably other, similar,
|
|
substances -- to promote the growth of tiny blood vessels called
|
|
capillaries. This provides the blood supply that allows the tumor to
|
|
enlarge and eventually spread.
|
|
|
|
Some experts theorize that if some way could be found to block
|
|
angiogenin and its chemical cousins, then cancers could be stopped.
|
|
|
|
"I would fondly hope that this will prove possible," said Dr. Bert
|
|
L. Vallee, who directed the research. "I think this should
|
|
facilitate it."
|
|
|
|
Experts say the work represents a major step in the study of
|
|
angiogenesis, or blood vessel formation, which was pioneered two
|
|
decades ago by Dr. Judah Folkman, another Harvard researcher.
|
|
|
|
"It's a stunning achievement," Folkman said. "I think it's very
|
|
important for the whole field, because it will enlarge everyone's
|
|
thinking about how tumors send the signal to keep blood vessels
|
|
growing in toward them."
|
|
|
|
Dr. James F. Riordan, another member of the research team, said one
|
|
logical cancer strategy will be to try to produce antibodies that
|
|
will neutralize angiogenin.
|
|
|
|
The researchers said they were surprised to find that angiogenin
|
|
holds about a 35 percent similarity to another well-known enzyme
|
|
|
|
Page 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
called ribonuclease. This, too, could be turned to their advantage
|
|
in finding ways to defeat the protein.
|
|
|
|
Comparing angiogenin to ribonuclease "gives us a clue as to its
|
|
three- dimensional structure," Riordan said. "If you know the
|
|
structure, you can try to design drugs that will specifically bind
|
|
to the protein" and deactivate it.
|
|
|
|
The blood vessel growth promoters also probably play a role in
|
|
diseases besides cancer. For instance, experts believe that they are
|
|
responsible for the proliferation of blood vessels that leads to
|
|
blindness in victims of diabetes as well as the overabundance
|
|
of capillaries in rheumatoid arthritis.
|
|
|
|
Neurath said it may be possible to use the substance to promote the
|
|
growth of new blood vessels in victims of heart disease.
|
|
|
|
Vallee said much more work remains to understand the workings of the
|
|
gene and the chemical it produces.
|
|
|
|
"What turns it on?" he said. "What turns it off? How is it made?
|
|
How is it excreted? It is enough to keep people busy a long time."
|
|
|
|
The scientists derived angiogenin from a human colon cancer and
|
|
showed that it would promote capillary growth in chicken eggs and
|
|
rabbits.
|
|
|
|
Normal tissues also produce similar hormones. They are part of the
|
|
female menstrual cycle and fetal growth in the womb, and they are
|
|
released to repair wounds and heart attacks.
|
|
|
|
Folkman said the angiogenesis factors released by cancers are
|
|
probably extremely similar to those produce in the body's day-to-day
|
|
housekeeping.
|
|
|
|
"The big difference is timing," said Folkman. "Normal tissues rarely
|
|
put these factors out. They are normally turned off. In the tumor,
|
|
they are turned on and stay on continuously."
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
If you have comments or other information relating to such topics
|
|
as this paper covers, please upload to KeelyNet or send to the
|
|
Vangard Sciences address as listed on the first page.
|
|
Thank you for your consideration, interest and support.
|
|
|
|
Jerry W. Decker.........Ron Barker...........Chuck Henderson
|
|
Vangard Sciences/KeelyNet
|
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
If we can be of service, you may contact
|
|
Jerry at (214) 324-8741 or Ron at (214) 242-9346
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 2
|
|
|
|
|