Gene Predicts Response to Cervical Cancer Treatment

Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cells of the cervix. Cervix connects the uterus to the vagina. Different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) which is a sexually transmitted infection can cause cervical cancer. Other factors like genetics and environmental factors like smoking and poor eating habits also play a role.

Cervical cancer symptoms include- abnormal bleeding in between periods, discomfort in vagina, foul smelling discharge, and difficulty in urination. Sometimes the patient may present without any symptoms. The treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.

Pap smear and Cervical Cancer Screening
Pap smear is the most common test used in screening cervical cancer caused by an infection with human papilloma virus. Pap smear should be repeated every 1 to 3 years till the age of 65 years.

‘In cervical cancer, the gene PACS-1 can be used as a diagnostic marker to determine if the cancer cells will respond to treatment. Treatment options which inhibit PACS-1 can be developed.’
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In the United States, 9-valent HPV vaccine is approved to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women from developing countries and it is also the third most common cancer in women worldwide.

To determine how a patient would respond to the standard treatment of chemotherapy and radiation, the researchers at UCLA have identified a potential diagnostic marker.

WHO to Unveil New Strategy Against Cervical Cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) is all set to launch a new, global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer-New Diagnostic Marker

PACS-1 is a gene on chromosome 11 that is overexpressed in cancer tissues resulting in cancer growth and spread. During normal cell growth, there is translocation of the PACS-1 protein from outside to inside the cell nucleus. This plays a role in the development of cervical cancer that is resistant to radiation and chemotherapy.

Women with Cervical Cancer at Higher Risk of Injury During Diagnostic Workup
Women with invasive cervical cancer are more likely to have an incidence of iatrogenic injuries and non-iatrogenic injuries requiring hospitalization than women with a normal smear.

The researchers said that higher levels of PACS-1 in the nucleus indicate resistance to the treatment.

Using the western blot/western blotting technique for detecting specific protein molecules from a mixture of different proteins on cervical tumors and healthy cervical tissue, the researchers found an overexpression of PACS-1 in the tumor tissues. By using another technique they were able to determine if the overexpression of PACS-1 protein was associated with resistance to chemotherapy.

HPV Vaccine Significantly Lowers Cervical Cancer Risk
Women vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus) have a significantly lower risk of developing cervical cancer, and the positive effect is most notable for women vaccinated at a young age, reports the new study.

If the results are confirmed in animal studies, PACS-1 can be used as a diagnostic marker for development of therapeutic strategies to overcome treatment resistance in cervical cancer. Alternative treatment methods like inhibition of PACS-1 expression can also be used in combination with immune system-activating agents or chemotherapy.

Source-Medindia