Research in Reducing Tumor Size

The study published in Nature Medicine in 2009 by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania showed that autophagy could be used to reduce the size of tumors in mice with pancreatic cancer.

The researchers used a technique called RNA interference (RNAi) to silence the expression of a gene called Beclin 1 in the mice. Beclin 1 is a protein that is essential for autophagy. When Beclin 1 is silenced, autophagy is activated.

The mice that had their Beclin 1 gene silenced showed a significant reduction in tumor size after four weeks. The tumors in these mice were also less likely to metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body.

The researchers believe that autophagy may be a promising new approach to cancer treatment. However, more research is needed to determine how effective autophagy can be in shrinking tumors and preventing cancer recurrence in humans.

Here is a more detailed explanation of the procedure used in the study:

1. The researchers first injected the mice with a virus that contained RNAi against Beclin 1.
2. The virus infected the cells in the mice and silenced the expression of Beclin 1.
3. The researchers then waited four weeks to see how the silencing of Beclin 1 affected the mice.
4. After four weeks, the researchers found that the tumors in the mice that had their Beclin 1 gene silenced were significantly smaller than the tumors in the control mice.
5. The researchers also found that the tumors in the mice that had their Beclin 1 gene silenced were less likely to metastasize.

The researchers concluded that autophagy may be a promising new approach to cancer treatment. However, more research is needed to determine how effective autophagy can be in shrinking tumors and preventing cancer recurrence in humans.

Thanks Bard