Helmholtz researchers study how cancer develops. For example, they examine its genetic foundations. They also use molecular, genetic and epidemiological methods to identify additional risk factors. And they inquire into the significance of viruses and environmental factors in the formation of cancer.

Another topic within the programme involves understanding the role which immune system cells play in the disease. Helmholtz scientists focus their work on developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in which they use molecular, cell biological, histological and radiophysical methods. Research and clinic collaborate closely in this work, for example, by establishing a heavy-ion and proton therapy.

Medical engineering also plays an important role in the “Cancer Research” programme. Because it makes new video-monitored procedures available which facilitate more precise diagnosis and treatment.

Indeed, they have discovered a new link between a tumor suppressor gene called PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) and a protein called PKR, known to inhibit protein synthesis. In case of absence or mutation of PTEN, PKR loses its ability to inhibit, and protein synthesis in affected cells becomes uncontrollable.



“This leads to strong proliferation of these cells with a survival advantage compared to normal cells, says Dr. Antonis E. Koromilas the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research at the JGH and the Department of Oncology of the McGill University. It is a condition which facilitates the development of tumors. ”



PTEN plays an essential role in the suppression of human cancers by blocking a process called genetic phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K). Clinicians often target the PI3K with drugs prescribed to cancer patients, but treatment is not always effective since all the mutant forms of PTEN do not interact with PI3K. In 1992, a study published in the journal Science, Dr. Koromilas and Dr. Nahum Sonenberg of McGill University have identified PKR as a possible tumor suppressor, but its association with PTEN remained unsuspected at the time.



The new discovery was made by a university researcher Dr. Koromilas, Zineb Mounir, lead author of the study, in collaboration with colleagues in the United States. Their findings were published December 22 in the journal Science Signaling.



“Since they are not facilitated by the PI3K known, existing treatments for cancer does not always work on tumors with mutant forms of PTEN,” says Ms. Munir.

“Therefore, this finding has important implications if, says Dr. Koromilas. If we begin to understand how these mutations of PTEN, we should be able to create drugs that can activate PKR, mainly to wake its inhibitory function of protein synthesis. ”



These treatments, said Dr. Koromilas, not necessarily to be designed from scratch to target PKR.

“Our work has also learned that DNA damage can actually activate the PKR path, and some chemotherapy treatments are known to alter DNA. So we choose to create drugs that are specific to PKR or use drugs that have a wider impact and that activate this process almost as a side effect. ”




Note:

The co-authors of the study are Dr. Gavin Robertson of Penn State University, Dr. Maria-Magdalena Georgescu, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dr. Randal Kaufman of the University of Michigan.

Most active volcanoes are located along a fault line on the eastern flank of the chain Vostochny. The Shiveluch volcano, back to 3 283 m, the most active volcanic arc of Kamchatka is located two thirds of the peninsula up north. His most recent activity only since December 2009, when he let out a plume of white smoke.

While in the west is a coastal plain, the east coast are a succession of bays and peninsulas mountain. It is near the east coast lies the “Valley of Geysers” considered one of the great natural wonders of the world In 2007 a huge landslide dumped millions of cubic meters of mud and rocks in the valley, destroying much of the site.

The southern point is Cape Lopatka. The circular bay just north-east of it is Avacha Bay, where the capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The four peninsulas visible along the east coast are – from north to south – the tip Chipounsky, Kronotsky tip, the tip and the tip Kamchatsky Ozernoy. The climate of the peninsula is rough with prolonged and snowy winters and humid summers. This image was acquired November 12, 2009 by the camera MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) Envisat, working in “reduced resolution” which allows to distinguish details of 1 200 m at ground level.

Dr. David Clarke then developed its action plan to remove the tumor using a virtual simulator neurosurgery, an operation that has completed this week.
According to Dr Clarke, this procedure allows for a screening test that helps determine the best way to remove the tumor safely. Thus, it will be possible to resolve potential problems before they arise. The simulator, developed by the National Research Council of Canada, will become an important part of training in neurosurgery.