• Director of the Cancer Center, the University of Vermont, EE. UU, He shared results during Symposium of the Centre for advanced chronic diseases, ACCDiS .
  • Alterations in proteins and molecules called microRNAs have become early markers of malignant tumors in breasts, and other areas of the body.

To be able to detect cancer early and deliver more effective treatments, It is a challenge of science world and Chilean, today will advance thanks to the study of genetics and a few small molecules called microRNAs. Dr. Gary Stein, Director of the Cancer Center, the University of Vermont, EE. UU, and who visited our country in the last hours, He has led several investigations that relate to certain alterations of these molecules with the development of malignant tumors, among them, breast cancer, the bad cancer increased frequency and mortality worldwide, female population.

The scientific, with over 900 publications in international journals, He explained his research within the framework of the joint symposium of the Centre for advanced chronic diseases, ACCDiS , and the International Postgraduate-Winter School 2017. This pioneering initiative last, destined to Latin American youth, It was organized by directions of graduate of the University of Chile and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

The day also featured the participation of Dr. Keith Burridge, British professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapell Hill, and one of the most cited scientists in the area of genetics and molecular biology. His laboratory investigates the processes of adherence, migration and regulation of cell behavior in cancer and tumor cells.

Cancer markers

Gary Stein, with more than 50 years of career, It has been a pioneer in the discovery of molecules and factors that contribute to the control and cell proliferation, in the context of cancer, especially breast, Prostate and leukemia. In this respect, the researcher explains that the detection of microRNAs can function as a potent biomarker of malignant tumors, possible to be detected in the blood of patients.

"In our laboratories we focus on trying to understand the genetic basis and epigenetic in various oncological ailments. This, in order to help prevent, detection, treatment and survival. In breast cancer, We are studying certain biomarkers that we have already managed to find in the very early stages of the disease, This represents a chance to attack the problem immediately and in a way that is not so invasive to the patient. We are specifically evaluating the non-coding RNA, considering it as a circulating marker", comments.

To date, American scientist and his team are working on cell cultures, in mouse models with patients, detecting circulating markers, mostly he found in the bloodstream. "There we can find samples with less than 1 ml, with which would already be sufficient to detect these early markers. No doubt, all these investigations will positively impact, but we still continue our validation with patients, and that takes time", designates.

For Dr. Andrew Quest, Senior researcher at the Center for advanced chronic diseases, ACCDiS , Dr Studios. Gary Stein set a precedent in World Science. "The microRNAs are very important today and play a fundamental role in the expression of proteins, which gives them an important role in the regulation of different cellular functions and gene expressions, including, cancer", designates the biochemist and a PhD in natural sciences.

Breast cancer

The Dr group. Stein has investigated different proteins, whose changes are related to the onset of breast cancer. These molecules behave like transcription factors, participating in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, If there are mutations, that can affect the normal development of the organism.

One of these elements discovered by scientist is RUNX-1, a protein that is presented when decreased in the body, promotes the development of breast cancer. This, Since it promotes certain cells invasive and migratory properties, participating in the onset of metastasis.

In this context, the University of Vermont scientist explains that he described to another protein, called BMP4, directly involved in embryonic development, specifically in the generation of bone and cartilage, and whose alterations were already proposed in 2015 as a biomarker. This molecule, It is a tumor suppressor protein involved in the control of proliferation and cell cycle, but to be decreased, It can promote breast cancer. The interesting thing is that its expression is controlled by several factors, among them, the microRNAs, that the scientist has explored in great depth.

On the other hand, Dr. Stein says that as well as the decrease in certain proteins may be, When there is an overexpression of them, It can also be harmful, doing it to express genes which do not commonly.

Other major players in this disease that mostly affects women, they are belonging to the Group of BRCA genes, whose function is to repair cell damage and maintain regular growth of breast cells, ovarian and other types. However, When are these abnormalities or mutations that are transmitted from one generation to another, and they do not work normally, It greatly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. It is like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes with anomalies, can be responsible for up to 10% of all breast cancer cases, so today have become important markers of risk in the world's population. This percentage, It implies that there are also possibilities for subjecting the patient to an early therapy, with favorable results, an element of great impact on health, in the view of Dr. Stein.

Alliance with Chile and biomedical advances

In Chile, and especially in the Centre of excellence ACCDiS, composed of scientists from the universities of Chile and Católica de Chile, led by Dr. Sergio Lavandero, the studies also progress towards the development of biomedical tools, on risk factors and causes of cancer, as well as new therapies and Diagnostics.

Dres. Stein and Burridge are part of the International Advisory Committee of ACCDiS, reason why have been assessing their work in the past three years and a half of existence. This work is widely valued by Dr. Gary Stein, who else, meet enough of the national science, because it has been maintaining contact and collaboration with our country for more than 30 years. "I am very happy with this visit to the Center and I think that the level of investigation of ACCDiS is excellent, mainly, because they are taking a multidisciplinary approach to research in cardiovascular disease and cancer", said.

In this context, also stressed, that you are interested to generate lines of work jointly with members of ACCDiS, who performed several studies on cancer of the digestive system. At the same time, He highlighted the work ACCDiS in the town of Molina, through cohort MAUCO and the study of its inhabitants. In this respect, He said that it is "very important to work with local populations, that in addition, to observe the environment and their families. This, even when such data can be extrapolated to other populations. Thus we see with MAUCO project studies, in Molina, whose research should bring very promising results", said. (By: Carolina Todorovic. Agency Ines Llambias communications).