Scientific they linked the loss of protein RECK with this carcinoma caused by the Human Papilloma Virus and a year resulting in the death of 600 Chilean.

Increase the expression of a protein called RECK, considered as metastasis suppressor, It is the central focus of a Latin American study and which could eventually stop cervical cancer, disease causing the death of 600 Chilean per year, According to figures from the Ministry of health (Minsal). Studies, directed by the academician of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo, Dr. Enrique Boccardo, linked to the loss of this protein with the development of carcinoma caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and the increased severity of precursor lesions in the normal tissue of this female body.

In this context, the scientist and his team are developing strategies to increase or reinducir his appearance in tumor cells, in order to block the progression of the disease.

Brazil-based Uruguayan biologist explains which, for several years, the decrease in the expression of RECK was linked to the presence of carcinomas, and who knew that their presence at normal levels, slowing malignant tumor progress. However, He had not related the development of cervical cancer.

The scientist began to analyze protein RECK whereas the idea that when a cell acquires its potential tumor, It can invade and damage to structures that are to your around, so through the regulation of a group of enzymes that inhibit the degradation, It is possible to block the advance of tumors. And, precisely, RECK fulfils this function.

Papilloma and cancer of the cervix in Chile

“HPV infection is responsible for 4% of all tumors that affect humans. It is associated in 100% cases of cervical cancer and over the years has been its relationship to other types of tumors in the region genital year, as a vulva, cancers of the vagina and penis. Therefore, It imposes a very important burden to the pathologies in humans, both such evil - as - carcinomas and benign diseases - such as genital warts-, that it affects 30 million people around the world each year, with a social impact and a very high economic cost”, said Dr. Boccardo within the framework of the recent International Congress organized by the Centre for advanced chronic diseases (ACCDiS ), It was developed at the Faculty of chemical sciences and pharmaceutical of the University of Chile.

The doctor and principal investigator of ACCDiS, Dr. Alejandro Corvalan, He indicated that, in Chile, this disease has an incidence elevated within the female population, After the breast cancer and gallbladder. “HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer, a disease that appears most frequently between 35 and 55 years and, In addition, you do not have symptoms until its later stages”, said Dr. Corvalán.

The scientist added that HPV is a common virus, There are over 100 different types of existing, about a dozen, It is linked to an increased risk of carcinoma. In men, It can produce year and penis cancer, and studies show that up to 70% of men of all ages are infected by HPV, that is transmitted through sexual contact of any kind. In addition, It is increasing the early exposure to the virus and cases of carcinoma of Cervix Uteri.

“People initiate sexual activity increasingly more early and with less care, being very common to find multiple types of virus infections. The prevalence of HPV is increasing: in reproductive ages, If I were women aged between 15 and 25 years, about 10% to 20% will have some type of HPV infection”, explained Dr. Boccardo.

Vaccination in children

The academician of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo was emphatic in pointing out that the best mechanism to prevent cervical cancer is HPV vaccination, “because all women are exposed to this infection”.

Since 2006, This practice applies in most of the countries of the world. In Chile, the year 2014 Minsal implemented a national immunization Plan in two doses, applied to girls from 11th and basic of all educational establishments in the country. The World Health Organization recommends vaccinating at that age because research shows that early immune system responds better to the vaccine.

“While HPV infection occurs mainly in adolescents and juvenile age, It has shown that the vaccine is more effective at earlier ages and long before the onset of sexual activity. In addition, protects against genital warts. The vaccine protects women and, by extension, men having intimate relationships with them in the future, against diseases caused by HPV that can occur in males”, said Dr. Boccardo.