Scientists at Northwestern University in the United States have come up with a way to treat any form of cancer. It is based on the property of small RNA molecules, called interfering ones, to block the activity of genes and the synthesis of proteins important for a malignant cell. The researchers' article was published in the journal eLife. Briefly about the scientific work is described in a press release on the EurekAlert! Website.
Small interfering RNAs (mRNAs) are short chains of ribonucleic acid that are capable of attaching to messenger RNA (mRNA) and causing degradation of the latter. Since mRNA carries genetic information from DNA to the sites of protein synthesis, the amount of protein products is thus reduced. mRNAs perform a protective function, preventing viruses from multiplying inside the cell, and also regulating the activity of genes.
Scientists have discovered that the human genome contains sections of DNA that encode a special kind of mRNA. They regulated the activity of those genes that contribute to the transformation of a cell into a malignant one. According to the researchers, this system was an early version of immunity, which is now taking on a major role in the fight against cancer.
Experiments have shown that a large amount of mRNA can block the work of several vital genes of any defective cell. As a result, cancerous tissues have no chance of survival. At the same time, the killer molecules ignore healthy cells.
Scientists have tested the effect of RNA in mice that suffered from ovarian cancer. Compounds were delivered to pathological tissues using nanoparticles. In animals, the growth of tumors was severely inhibited, which did not develop resistance to the drug.