Blocking a master switch controlling cells' response to low levels of oxygen could lead to new cancer drugs

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 29 Jul 2013 - 1:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Blocking a master switch controlling cells' response to low levels of oxygen could lead to new cancer drugs

Scientists have discovered a new molecule that prevents cancer cells from responding and surviving when starved of oxygen and which could be developed into new treatments for the disease, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Cancer Research UK scientists at the University of Southampton found that this molecule targets the master switch -- HIF-1 -- that cancer cells use to adapt to low oxygen levels, a common feature in the disease.

The researchers uncovered a way to stop cancer cells using this switch through an approach called 'synthetic biology'. By testing 3.2 million potential compounds, made by specially engineered bacteria, they were able to find a molecule that stopped HIF-1 from working.

All cells need a blood supply to provide them with the oxygen and nutrients they require to survive. Cancer tumours grow rapidly and as the tumour gets bigger it outstrips the supply of oxygen and nutrients that the surrounding blood vessels can deliver.

But, to cope with this low-oxygen environment, HIF-1 acts as a master switch that turns on hundreds of genes, allowing cancer cells to survive. HIF-1 triggers the formation of new blood vessels around tumours, causing more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the starving tumour, which in turn allows it to keep growing.

Dr Ali Tavassoli, a Cancer Research UK scientist whose team discovered and developed the compound at the University of Southampton, said: "We've found a way to target the steps that cancer cells take to survive and we hope that our research will one day lead to effective drugs that can stop cancers adapting to a low oxygen environment, stopping their growth. The next step is to further develop this molecule to create an effective treatment."

Dr Julie Sharp, senior science information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "Finding ways to disrupt the tools that cancer cells use to adapt and grow when starved of oxygen has been a hot topic in cancer research, but finding drugs that do this effectively has proved elusive.

"For the first time our scientists have found a way to block a master switch controlling cells response to low levels of oxygen -- an important step towards creating drugs that could halt cancer in its tracks."

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
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No More Summer Hair Disasters! 11 Braids to Master Now

From fishtails to milkmaid braids, these braided hairstyles are as easy as they are adorable

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Super fun and incredibly easy, braided bangs like Busy Philipps’ not only look adorable, they prevent a sticky summer fringe. To DIY, loosely plait front strands following this French-braid how-to, and then give them a soft tuck behind your ear, setting with a bobby pin.

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Taylor Swift modernizes her braided crown with a blunt, high-shine fringe. Give hair a break from heat styling and smooth just your bangs with a dryer and round brush. Then braid two pigtails with remaining damp strands, draping them to meet at your center part and securing with two crisscrossing bobby pins.

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Bella Thorne dresses-up a fishtail braid with interwoven blue and green ribbons. First, tie the end of each ribbon onto a single clear elastic hair band. Next, gather hair into a ponytail and secure with the elastic, allowing the ribbons to trail at the back. Follow this DIY diagram to fishtail braid, intertwining the fabric while alternating thin sections of hair. Trim the ends of the fabric to meet the length of your braid and finish with another clear elastic.

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This halo braid on Keke Palmer is more angelic than Heidi, thanks to soft bangs and some loose, face-framing strands. Create two braided pigtails and tuck the braids under one another atop your part. Secure in place with crisscrossing bobby pins.

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Textured volume and height set Selena Gomez’s braid above the rest. Treat roots with a volumizing spray then tease with a comb. Pull stands back into a high ponytail and secure with bungee elastic. Braid through the length, loosening up some strands to mimic this same messy finish.

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Three cornrow braids paired with streaming textured waves on Carmen Electra are equal parts sexy and practical. Spritz hair with salt spray and twist strands to create loose waves. Braid three small sections rows on one side, just above your ear and tight to your scalp. Sweep non-braided hair over to the opposite side. 

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Diane Kruger’s braided updo looks polished on even the stickiest of summer days. Treat hair from mid-length to ends with a frizz-fighting shine serum, then create two pigtail braids, looping each over your crown to meet at your part. Secure on top with two crisscrossing bobby pins.

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Amanda Seyfried’s slicked-back braided chignon is a sturdy, low-maintenance style fit for high heat. Mist strands first with hair spray and comb through. Pull hair back into a high ponytail and tie with a bungee elastic. Braid the tail and wrap the length around to meet at the nape of your neck, securing with a few hair pins.

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Songstress Eve opts for an effortless, stay-in-place side braid that's ideal for sunny days. To get the look, gather hair into a side ponytail. Braid through the length and secure. Trick of the trade: Use a bobby pin to pull out and loosen up some strands from the braid to soften the look.

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January Jones’ sophisticated, multi-layered braids look complex but are easy to duplicate — try on damp strands when it’s too warm to blow dry. Loosely braid two front sections and wrap them around the crown of your head to meet in the back. Secure with bobby pins so that your hair is half-up. Create a few mini braids with remaining hair, twisting them up to meet the other section and pin in place.

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Hit the beach then play-up your salt and wind-kissed texture with a tousled braid inspired by Kristen Stewart. At home, get the look by spraying dry shampoo from roots to ends, then twisting and separating strands with your fingers to create texture. Pull hair to rest over your shoulder and braid, securing with a clear elastic. Check out this 1-minute video for an easy how-to.

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