Cancer triggers
In the US medical experts are building a massive database that holds important information on cancer cells. In order for our bodies to renew cells they have to divide, and this happens in our bodies all the time and contributes to our wellbeing. But sometimes the division carries on unnecessarily, which is when normal cells become cancer cells. They can then spread and grow in other parts of our body.
The Cancer Genome Atlas project stores information on the genetic make-up of cancerous and healthy cells to see what we can learn about the difference between them. Cells are programmed to act in certain ways because of their genes, but sometimes this programming goes wrong. We don’t fully know why this can happen, sometimes the proteins that make up genes are affected, or outside influences – like smoking – change the proteins so they turn to cancer. Other times, cells may just randomly start dividing out-of-control, despite our lifestyles or genetics.
Different cancers
The US project has already shed light on how some tumours develop, which means specialists can then get to work on creating treatments that are better targeted for the cancer concerned. Part of the study concentrated on brain, ovarian and lung cancer. Glioblastoma is found in the brain and researchers have already discovered how several specific genetic changes can lead to us developing this type of cancer. The project also revealed how changes to cancer genes makes them resistant to chemotherapy, giving researchers the chance to develop further drugs that may reduce the chances of resistance and giving us more tools to battle the condition.