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Human
Disease
Articles
Labcoats
at Work
Getting Real About Getting into Science
The
Fight Against Cancer
Samantha Walker
CANCER is a disease of the body’s cells caused by alterations in genes that control their growth. The body is made up of many types of cells, where each perform specific tasks. Usually cells are replaced when they are damaged, and for this to occur, the cells must divide and grow. However, sometimes cells divide and grow in an abnormal way. The abnormal cells start multiplying excessively and form a lump called a tumour. This is how cancer develops. The tumour can then spread to other areas of the body quite rapidly. It may not seem that serious, but in fact, it is the leading cause of death in Australia with approximately 34,700 people dying of cancer each year.
However, within the last twenty to thirty years, the incidences of death caused by cancer have decreased significantly due in part to the many facilities devoted to its research. One such research facility is located at Westmead Children’s Hospital. Currently, several cancer-related projects are in progress with one in particular being conducted by scientist Priya Ramanathan. She is completing research with an immunological approach.
It is known that certain cell populations, white blood cells known as T-lymphocytes, play a vital role in combatting tumours using the human immune response. Ultimately, activating these T-lymphocytes will cause the tumour to recede. Priya’s project is based on the possibility that there is an interaction between what are called “co-stimulatory molecules” on the periphery of special, genetically modified tumours and previously activated T-lymphocyte populations. She believes that the interaction takes place when the T-lymphocytes move back to the site of the original tumour, a process known as the “efferent limb” of immune response. The T-lymphocytes then interact with the target tumour cells, which results in the deterioration of the tumour. In simple terms, the T-lymphocytes are being trained what to attack.
As Priya has stated, the project aims to study this possibility by using T-lymphocyte populations derived “in vitro” (tissue culture, or growth of cells outside the body) and “in vivo” (animal experiments) that are specific to genetically modified tumours. These are then transferred into mice that have no immune system and are bearing normal, unmodified tumours to explore the “efferent limb” of the immune response. The use of immuno-deficient mice is important so as to avoid confusion among entirely different immune responses.
Apart from the laboratory work, Priya also keeps detailed notes and analyses of all the procedures applied in the research. These notes record the progress of the research as well as help identify any problems associated with the work. Priya regularly submits the progress reports to her supervisor as a requirement of the project. The purpose of this is to see whether progress in the research is progressing well and, if not, changes are made to ensure that it is. This checking may sound tedious, but it is, after all, part of being a scientist.
Priya’s work as a scientist is not entirely confined to her laboratory, as many people might suspect. She attends conferences in Australia and will be attending one in the United States later this year. These conferences provide an arena where Priya and other upcoming scientists can establish relationships with other research facilities interested in their work. They also help to stimulate the interest of prospective investors. Fortunately for Priya, as a scientist at Westmead Children’s Hospital, there is not a huge concern with the funding of her project considering its focus. The government and private donors provide enough money for the present time to sustain the research.
However,
there is still a large amount of work to be done. Priya has spent the
past two years devoted to testing her hypothesis, but there is some light
at the end of the tunnel. She hopes to be finished by the end of the year
with successful results. Maybe this could be the new future for cancer
treatment, or at least a step in the right direction.
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