Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that loss of microRNA in liver cells can cause hepatocellular carcinoma; restoring the molecule may slow down tumor growth and subsequently aid in treating this disease.
Dr. Kalpana Ghoshal, research lead in this study, along with his team, found that the restoration of microRNA-122 to liver cells "dramatically reduced the size and number of tumours, with tumours making up 8% on average of liver surface area in treated animals versus 40% in the control group." These are promising figures, especially since they offer new possiblities to help treat hepatitis C virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma.
To read more about this study, click here.
Study mentioned: Hsu SH et al. Essential metabolic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumorigenic functions of miR-122 in liver. J Clin Invest. 2012 Aug 1;122(8):2871-83. PMID 22820288
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