Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Dwarfs Hold Clues to Cancer Cure

boo7382

By boo7382,
in Huddle Lounge

Recommended Posts

boo7382 Newbie

boo7382

Posted
Posted

I was reading it in Spanish on BBCMundo but found an article translated. This is very cool.

A GROUP of dwarfs in Ecuador - who live in a remote village in the Andes - could hold the clues to curing cancer.

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles closely monitored around 100 members of the group and found almost no cases of cancer or diabetes, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The group, who live in the Loja province of southern Ecuador, had mutated genes that lowered their growth hormone activity and stunted growth, according to scientists.

The study suggested that blocking growth hormone activity in full grown adults through prescription drugs or a special diet could unlock the mystery of cancer.

If the process worked and only had minor side effects, societies in the future could live without major illnesses, said cell biologist Valter Longo, who led the USC research team. "It's the dream of every administration, anywhere in the world," Longo said. "You live a long healthy life, and then you drop dead."

The group was monitored for about 23 years. Many had Laron syndrome - a disorder characterised by insensitivity to growth hormone - and were no bigger than 1.1n metres tall.

During that time, there were no documented cases of diabetes and only one non-lethal case of cancer, according to the study. However, the group's lifespan was no higher than normal, researchers said.

While it was still unclear whether the mutated gene, IGF-1, was the reason they were almost cancer and diabetes-free, similar observations were made in genetic work done in yeast, worms and mice with a similar type of mutated gene.

Longo and his team were trying to seek approval for a clinical trial with people undergoing chemotherapy which would administer drugs that block growth hormone. A similar-type drug to treat gigantism was already approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

But diet restrictions may also have the same effect, Longo said. Studies were underway to determine whether fasting altered growth factors that could have the same effect as the Laron mutation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • fanpanther
      Fix Your Franchise: Carolina Panthers

      By fanpanther · Posted

      100% even if rest of team is really talented if they march young out to be qb and he plays like he has for 90% of his starts the panthers have already lost doesnt even matter how good the rest of the team is or isnt and also makes it hard to even tell how good they are.  They need true competition for young this offseason.  
    • dave-o
      Another renovation to BoA?

      By dave-o · Posted

      It will be awesome to have an improved stadium to lose in I guess....   https://www.yahoo.com/news/panthers-file-rezoning-bank-america-111500840.html     The Carolina Panthers have taken another necessary step toward renovating their home of the present and future. Panthers Stadium, LLC, filed its rezoning site plan with the city of Charlotte on Monday, initiating an important — if mostly technical — step toward renovating Bank of America Stadium. The filings state that the rezoning relates “primarily to technical aspects associated with improvements to Bank of America Stadium,” and that the rezoning is required because “the current stadium zoning is out of date” for the team’s stadium renovation plans.   The planned stadium updates include new seats installed throughout the upper and lower bowls; stadium safety and security enhancements; a reimagined South Lawn Pavilion; upgraded restrooms; exterior enhancements (including LED video boards) and more. Planning for the stadium renovation project will continue through 2025, with construction starting in 2026 and the renovation’s conclusion in 2029, The Observer previously reported.
    • WhoKnows
      Mcshay Unsure T-mac is a wr 1 or X..

      By WhoKnows · Posted

      In my dream, we somehow luck into a top 2 pick and someone wants a QB bad and doesn’t want anyone else to jump them. Somehow we’ll probably screw up the picks anyway, but it would be nice to do even partially what Chicago did to us. We’d have to lose out, which is a decent possibility unless Tampa is resting. We need Atlanta to stay within a game because Atlanta beat Tampa twice. The rest of the draft slots are who knows because Jax plays the Raiders and then Tennessee and you never know who will rest starters. I think we are top 7 unless we somehow pull out 2 more wins. The 4 win teams have higher SOS and there is only one 5 win team with the same SOS. If we win 1 of 3, we still should stay in top 7. If we lose out and the Jax games work for us, we can easily be top 3.
×
×
  • Create New...