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Small RNA Kills Cancer Cells Without Side Effects
Daily Tech ^ | September 7, 2010 6:37 AM | Tiffany Kaiser -

Posted on 09/08/2010 8:02:13 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach

Chains of small RNA cause cancer cells to self destruct

Researchers from the California Institute of Technology, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), have developed conditional small RNA molecules that could treat cancer cells without causing negative side effects. 

Cancer is a personal disease that varies with each case and is based on one's own environmental and genetic factors. It is normally treated with chemotherapy, which consists of giving patients one or more types of drugs in hopes of this diagnosing and treating cancer cells. The problem with chemotherapy is that it is not selective enough, in that taking a drug which kills fast-growing tumor cells will also kill cells in the hair follicle, due to the fact that cells in the hair follicle are fast-growing as well. This is what leads to hair loss while going through chemotherapy treatments. 

But now, Niles Pierce, co-author of this study, along with his team, have created the conditional small RNA molecules to separate the diagnosis and treatment steps by utilizing characteristics found in our DNA and RNA. This will help target cancer cells only, and leave unaffected cells alone.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailytech.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: cancer; canceritems

1 posted on 09/08/2010 8:02:20 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
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To: neverdem

fyi


2 posted on 09/08/2010 8:07:52 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach ( Support Geert Wilders)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

That sure sounds good .. I hope it’s true and that it will be allowed by the FDA.


3 posted on 09/08/2010 8:10:00 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Wow, whoever created the human body sure made it marvelous.


4 posted on 09/08/2010 8:10:43 AM PDT by fightinJAG (Step away from the toilet. Let the housing market flush.)
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To: fightinJAG

Could it be said that it was designed, intelligently?


5 posted on 09/08/2010 8:13:53 AM PDT by keep your powder dry
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Am I paranoid for expecting them to say in the next press conference that they need to get the RNA strictly from aborted fetuses?


6 posted on 09/08/2010 8:14:19 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Oh great. What lousy timing. The new health care bill probably doesn't cover it. It's pro-life.
7 posted on 09/08/2010 8:16:46 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: Boogieman

iirc, this is the process where they yank rna out of the patient, process it and re-inject it in, or something like that.


8 posted on 09/08/2010 8:16:51 AM PDT by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
IF, and I stress IF, this treatment does not harm normal cells I would hope the FDA allows a fast track approval for testing in humans.

Time has long passed for eradicating this insidious disease.

9 posted on 09/08/2010 8:22:03 AM PDT by Wurlitzer (Welcome to the new USSA (United Socialist States of Amerika))
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To: Wurlitzer

Yes, it’s time for a breakthrough. Cancer is horrible.


10 posted on 09/08/2010 8:24:52 AM PDT by altura
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To: DonaldC
they yank rna out of the patient, process it and re-inject it in

Stem cells injected from infants actually cause cancer in the recipient. Only their own stem cells have been proven effective. This seems to follow the same logic.

11 posted on 09/08/2010 8:24:55 AM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach

Call me a cynic, but I never believe claims of “without side effects.” That goes double when the topic of discussion has to do with targeted killing of cells.


12 posted on 09/08/2010 8:28:24 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: Wurlitzer
Time has long passed for eradicating this insidious disease.

The problem being that one cannot discuss cancer in the singular -- it is much more a case of "these insidious diseases," because the characteristics of the various types are extremely varied.

13 posted on 09/08/2010 8:30:18 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: concerned about politics

I think you’re right. It was also pretty expensive but probably cheaper than current methods of treatment and at the hundred thousand foot level, sounds like it could be more successful.


14 posted on 09/08/2010 8:34:31 AM PDT by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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To: altura

Cancer is too profitable to certain industries with influence in DC. The cure, if ever, will be coming very slowly.

The true goal is to render cancer “treatable” through a pharmacological regimen. Keeps the money flowing.


15 posted on 09/08/2010 9:14:51 AM PDT by Buckeye Battle Cry (If Pelosi were Pope abortion would be a sacrament.)
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To: Buckeye Battle Cry

There is a person dwelling in my house who feels exactly as you do.

I surely hope you’re both wrong.


16 posted on 09/08/2010 11:34:18 AM PDT by altura
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To: altura

I hope I am wrong as well. I’ve buried my Mom, Step-dad and best friend from cancer. Believe me, I’m no fan.


17 posted on 09/08/2010 12:11:50 PM PDT by Buckeye Battle Cry (If Pelosi were Pope abortion would be a sacrament.)
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