As we advance our understanding of cancers such as gliomas, one thing is very clear. Cancers are highly variable. Even cancers of the same type (i.e. glioma) are not exactly the same in different patients. This variation poses a great challenge to the development of more efficient cancer treatments. Glioma is cancer of glial cellsA group of cells located in the brain and nervous system. Glial cells do not conduct nerve impulses but they support the neurons that do serve this function. Glial cells are very numerous and far outnumber neurons. in the brain. Glial cells act as caretakers of nerve cells (neurons). Currently, almost all glioma patients receive the same treatment regimen, which includes temozolomide (TMZ)--a chemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. agent. Recent research by Longtao Wu and colleagues at the University of Chicago demonstrated in patient-derived cells that the activity of an anti-death proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins., BCL-3, can predictor of response to TMZ treatment in all gliomas, and that an inhibitor of a protein downstream of BCL-3 can allow TMZ therapy to work again. Interestingly, the drug that restores responses - acetazolamide - is already approved to treat altitude sickness and other conditions.
This study is particularly exciting for two reasons. First, the it shows the value of investigating the molecular basis for the variation seen in patient responses. As more treatment options are developed, the next logical step is to use genetic and molecular markers of individual patients to design a personalized treatment regimen. Second, the study demonstrates the possibility of overcoming drug resistance by uncovering the underlying molecular mechanism.
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