Melanoma’s secret to cheating death has finally been revealed
News
– University of Pittsburgh
– Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery by discovering the missing genetic ingredient that helps melanoma cells become effectively immortal. The breakthrough could open the door to new treatments aimed at disrupting one of cancer’s most important survival strategies.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a crucial missing piece in the long standing mystery of how melanoma tumors avoid death and continue growing.
Details
Writing this week in Science, Jonathan Alder, Ph.D., and colleagues describe a combination of genetic changes that allows melanoma cells to dramatically extend their lifespan while fueling rapid tumor growth. The discovery could reshape how researchers understand melanoma and may point to new treatment strategies.
“We did something that was, in essence, obvious based on previous basic research and connected back to something that is happening in patients,” said Alder, assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine at Pitt’s School of Medicine.
Telomeres Help Control a Cell’s Lifespan
Analysis
Telomeres are protective caps located at the ends of chromosomes that help keep DNA from breaking down. Every time a healthy cell divides, its telomeres become a little shorter. Eventually, they shrink to the point where the cell can no longer divide.
Keeping telomeres at the proper length is critical for health. Telomeres that become too short can cause disorders linked to premature aging and early death. On the other hand, unusually long telomeres are often associated with cancer.
Scientists have long known that melanoma tumors contain exceptionally long telomeres, especially compared with many other types of cancer.
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