>From the "Star", Johannesburg 5/9/2002
<rip>
Cancer breakthrough stuns scientific world
BY STEVE CONNOR
lndependent Foreign Service
Scientists have successfully destroyed cervical cancer cells using a
revolutionary new technique which is being hailed as one of the most
important developments in medicine for decades.
The technique, called RNA interference (RNAi), completely eliminated all
the cancer cells growing in a test tube yet left healthy cells unharmed.
The scientists called the results "absolutely remarkable".
As the findings were released yesterday, it emerged that another team of
researchers were planning the world's first clinical trial of the
technique, this time, on a group of Aids Patients. The trial is expected
to begin within the next two years.
RNAi Works by "silencing" harmful genes. Excited scientists believe it
could be used to turn off the genes of infectious viruses or human
tumour cells that have turned malignant, rendering them harmless.
A study published yesterday in the journal Oncogene demonstrated that
RNAi efficiently Switched off the genes of the human papiloma virus,
which triggers cervical cancer in women. All cancerous cells growing in
a test tube died, leaving normal cells untouched.
Professor Jo Milner, who led the investigation at the University of
York, said that in her long career as a cell biologist she had never
before witnessed such a powerful anti-cancer agent which was so highly
specific at targeting tumour cells.
"The successful elimination of the cancer cells, without adverse effects
on normal cells, is absolutely remarkable. I've been in research a long
time and this was fantastic." she said.
Milner's team targeted the RNAi against two genes of human papiloma
virus. By silencing one gene, the tumour cells stopped growing. By
silencing the other, all the cancer cells "committed suicide".
Because the treatment had no effect on uninfected human cells, this is
strong evidence that RNAi would be unlikely to produce the harmful
side-effects seen when other cancer treatments are used on patients.
Milner said she intended starting clinical trials as a potential
treatment for cervical cancer within five years. Cervical cancer is the
second-most-common form of female cancer, killing 1250 British women a
year.
"Our work has identified a novel agent with major therapeutic potential
for the treatment, and possibly the prevention, of human cervical
cancer," Milner said.
Cervical cancer is caused when human papiloma virus attacks natural
proteins in the body which are vital for the suppression of cancer.
RNAi effectively restores this natural cancer-suppression by attacking
the virus.<tear>
Warm regards
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