Can Cancer-Causing Genes Be Silenced?

Cancer is a genetic disease “at the cellular level.” Cancer develops as a result of the accumulation of mutations (damage) in genes that enable cells to multiply and communicate with each other. Genetic treatments targeting the reason cancer arises hold great promise.

As is known, our cells contain a governing molecule called DNA. Through the “genetic information” it contains, DNA enables vital processes in the body to occur. DNA performs this task through proteins, the functional substances of our body. Protein synthesis is controlled by a complex and precise system. At the genetic level, microRNAs are responsible for this control.

Under normal conditions, protein synthesis involves transferring information in DNA to a carrier molecule called mRNA and producing protein with this information. If protein production is to be blocked, a microRNA molecule that recognizes mRNA binds to it. Because the resulting double helix has a structure resembling viral DNA, it is destroyed by the immune system. Protein synthesis is thus blocked. In recent years, researchers have succeeded in artificially changing gene activity by isolating microRNAs.

According to a study published in the respected scientific journal Nature, microRNAs may prevent breast cancer cells from metastasizing.

The most important task of microRNAs is to regulate gene activity. Disruption of this mechanism by single nucleotide polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphism) causes changes in gene activity, increasing cancer risk. In other words, if we consider a gene that enables cell proliferation, under normal conditions microRNAs bind to this gene and prevent it from becoming activated. However, a change in a single nucleotide in this gene prevents microRNA from binding and causes the gene to remain constantly active.

In this study, researchers succeeded in identifying single nucleotide changes in genes that cause breast cancer and the microRNAs controlling the activity of these genes. MicroRNAs modified using genetic engineering techniques were delivered to the tumor region with nanoparticles. Cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug, was also added to the nanoparticle to increase treatment effectiveness. As a result of this treatment in experimental animals, a noteworthy reduction in tumor growth rate and spread to other tissues was observed.

In Conclusion,

• MicroRNAs are important molecules involved in controlling gene activity. Disruption of their functions through different mechanisms increases cancer risk.
• This study shows that combining nanotechnology, conventional chemotherapy and gene therapy has strong potential in cancer treatment.