Edinburgh University research into Wilms' Tumour
- From: J <nexsw@nvalid,anon>
- Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:19:54 -0400
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6574709.stm>
Friday, 20 April 2007, 10:09
Scientists in Edinburgh have made a significant discovery which could help
treat a rare kidney cancer that mostly affects young children.
Wilms' Tumour affects about 70 toddlers across the UK every year.
A team at Edinburgh University has found out how to block the activity of
a particular gene known to play a role in the development of the
condition.
Dr Jamie Davies, who is leading the research, said the team now hoped to
be able to treat and reverse the changes.
He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The work, which has
been funded by the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR),
has enabled us, and our colleagues, to find out the exact time the cancer
begins in kidney development and to actually watch the process in the lab.
"That is our little breakthrough.
"What we now want to see is if we can treat and reverse the changes."
Previous studies found that damage to a specific gene during the
development of the foetus in the womb was linked to the cancer.
However, scientists had found it impossible to use normal genetic
techniques, which inactivate genes from conception, to investigate how the
tumour forms and how the cancer could be treated.
The team recently discovered a crucial time during the development of the
kidney when loss of the WT1 gene activity causes cells to multiply in an
uncontrolled way, as is found in Wilms' tumour.
'Fundamental research'
Dr Davies said: "This suggested that loss of WT1 on its own is enough to
start a tumour developing, if it happens during this key development
stage.
"It also provides a system that researchers can use to investigate how
this uncontrolled multiplication may be prevented."
The St Andrews-based AICR believes the work paves the way for further
investigation.
The charity's scientific consultant, Dr Mark Matfield, said: "To develop
specific, effective treatments for rare cancers, we need to understand how
they are caused and the mechanisms that make the cells divide.
"Fundamental research like this is going to open up new avenues of
research which may well lead on to new therapeutic developments."
Wilms' tumour is said to be named after Dr Max Wilms, the German surgeon
who first identified the cancer.
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