Huntington's Disease Lowers Cancer Risk
Patients with Huntington's disease have a considerably lower risk of developing cancer, researchers from Lund University, and SkГ ne University Hospital, MalmГ, Sweden, reported in the journal Lancet Oncology. The same applies to other polyQ (polyglutamine) diseases, the authors added. PolyQ disorders are a group of uncommon neurogeneretative disorders, characterized by the expansion of CAG (Cystosine-Adenine-Guanine) repeats in specific genes - they are inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by polyQ expansion in the mutant proteins.
Protein Useful In Predicting The Risk Of Pulmonary Metastases In Breast Cancer Patients Identified By Researchers
Researchers from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) have shown that breast cancer cells that metastasize to the lung express a higher level of the protein peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2). The study suggests that the modulation of the levels of this protein could be a new therapeutic strategy to prevent lung metastases. The study results have been advanced in the online edition of the journal Oncogene. PRDX2 is an oxidation-reduction enzyme that protects cells against free radicals and hence from oxidative stress.
Addressing The Global Cancer Epidemic
Cancer is a growing health concern in low- and middle-income countries, and there is an opportunity for Canada to make a significant contribution to help tackle the disease, states an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Cancer kills more people than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. The incidence of cancer worldwide is increasing, with a projected rise through 2030 of 82% in low- and lower-income countries and 70% in middle-income countries. Twenty percent of all cancer deaths occur in low-income countries and 50% in middle-income countries.