Tadpoles May Help With Skin Cancer Detection
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have completed several years work to find a compound that seems to block the movement of the pigment cells that give tadpoles their unique markings. Uncontrolled movement of pigment cells has been linked to cancer in both humans and frogs, which means skin cancer detection and prevention could be improved.
Melanoma cells in particular, are known to migrate (or move) through the body to the organs, causing secondary tumors that are one of the more high-risk forms of cancer.
Melanomas are one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer because they’re both invasive and resistant to treatment.
Malignant melanoma is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer deaths, and about 160,000 new cases (over 62,000 in the U.S.) of melanoma are diagnosed worldwide each year.
If research can learn how to block this process, perhaps cancer spread can be delayed or even halted altogether.
Despite the hopeful outlook, practical applications in terms of medications are likely still years away.
The compound used in this study was selected from 3,000, screened to see if they effected the pigment cells. The compound, known as NSC 84093, produced a visible change in the color markings on the tadpoles when used in very low concentrations. The continuous stripe along the back was replaced by a pattern of blocks of color along the back of the tadpole.
Biologist and lead researcher Grant Wheeler at the University of East Anglia said, “Forty of the compounds gave us an interesting difference which we wanted to follow up.”
Apparently its easy to look at the tadpole embryos and see the color change – so many compounds could be tested.
A chemist at the University saw that the structure of the compound they were using had properties that showed it could bind to a zinc molecule. A substance expressed by melanoma tumors, matrix metaloproteinases (MMP) thought to be involved with cell behavior such as migration, is zinc dependent.
The compound identified by the British researchers keeps the MMP from doing what comes naturally. The team saw changes to patterning on the tadpoles depending on the strength of the dose given.
And if you’re wondering what tadpoles can tell us about cancer, it helps to understand how much we have in common with the little critters. These simple creatures diverged from man a mere 360 million years ago, though they still have the same organs, molecules and physiology as we do.
This tells us that cancers in the frogs will develop and act just as they do in people.
What’s more, the tadpole that becomes the South African Clawed Frog, produces eggs all year round so supplies of subjects are plentiful.
The intriguing study appears in the January 2009 journal Chemistry & Biology and though there is still a lot of work to be done, if these preliminary results hold, we may be one step close to finding an effective skin cancer detection process and treatment for one of many invasive forms of cancer. The next step is to test the compound in other animals.
Lung Cancer Warning Signs: Early Detection Of Lung Cancer Can Save Your Life
Early detection of lung cancer warning signs – or any other types of illnesses – is crucial in helping to find a cure for the disease. Indeed, the earlier one is able to find out about the disease, the better chances they have for combating the illness.
Lung cancer warning signs are similar to recognizing the symptoms of the disease. Hence, having enough knowledge of other conditions associated with this illness would be helpful.
Below is a list of lung cancer warning signs you should be keeping a close eye on:
• Persistent Coughing
• Presence of blood or mucus when coughing
• Loss of appetite resulting to weight loss
• Feeling of shortness of breath
• Pneumonia, bronchitis, or other respiratory-related illness
• Constant pain in the chest, back, or neck
• Uncharacteristic fever
You need to pay close attention to any changes in your body though, since most of the symptoms are not evident until they have reached the advanced stage.
Once you have determined these symptoms, there are essential steps and further information you need to know.
Spread of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is caused by the presence of cancer cells. These abnormal cells continue to divide on their own without following a particular order or pattern. Because of this nature in the cells, they have the potential to destroy the neighboring tissues of the body.
In fact, they can also develop into a malignant tumor which can invade your bloodstream and cripple the lymphatic system. The process known as metastasizing is responsible for the spread of cancer cells such that the initial cancer tumor can cause the growth of new tumors in various parts of the body.
In terms of determining the rate at which these cancer cells spread, it largely depends on the type of cells. But on average, tumor growth can happen in a span of a few months.
When To Consult A Doctor
As soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above, it is best to meet with your doctor immediately.
This will allow them to make diagnosis or assess your condition. Furthermore, the earlier you act on any lung cancer warning signs or symptoms, the more capable you are at preventing it from getting worse.
Immediate consultation with your doctor will enable them to further investigate the reason for such symptoms to exclude other health conditions.
Below is a list of what is recognized as late-stage lung cancer symptoms. One needs to work together with their physician to avoid reaching this stage:
• Inexplainable feeling of fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Aches in your joints,bones, or constant headaches
• Bone fractures that are not brought about by injury
• Swelling on your face or neck
• Abnormalities in your neurologic conditions
Tests for Lung Cancer
Once you have seen with your doctor, the following tests are conducted to diagnose you:
1) Chest x-ray: This is mostly done for patients with complaints on excessive coughing and shortness of breath.
2) CAT Scan: This method of scanning in such areas as chest, head, abdomen, or pelvis helps assess the size of a tumor or evaluate how farther it has spread.
3) Bronchoscopy: In this method, your physician creates a direct visualization of your airways after numbing medications or sedations are administered.
4) PET Scan: This tool is used for assessing the tumor, which also utilize a chemical known as radionuclide. As soon as your first lung cancer warning signs become evident, it is best to undergo this test to help prevent the rapid growth of tumors.
