U of Toledo, researchers have been diligently
studying a series of new anti-cancer drug candidates, which we hope will
some day improve patient survival. Glioblastoma multiforme
is a devastating cancer of the brain because these cancer cells invade
rapidly, making surgical removal and further treatment difficult. Their
research is focused on investigating a series of drugs that prevent
glioblastoma cancer cell movement. By blocking the cancer cells from
moving, treatment and surgical removal can be vastly improved.
The UT Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology have developed a different drug that can actually kill glioblastoma cells. This drug triggers the glioblastoma cells to fill up with fluid-filled bubbles called vacuoles. Over time, the cancer cells become overwhelmed by vacuoles and die.
Both of these drug candidates have shown great promise; however, before they can be approved for clinical trials in humans, they must first undergo rigorous screening in animal models. Historically, such screens have been performed in mouse and rat models. Unfortunately, these types of studies are laborious, expensive and take years to complete. The zebrafish model provides another option.
Zebrafish are small minnows, native to India and the surrounding region, which have been gaining popularity among scientists for biomedical research. These small fish are ideal for biomedical studies, because the young fish are transparent, allowing researchers to easily observe organ development and function. The cancer cells that are stained with special dyes can be implanted into young zebrafish in order to visually track how cancer cells grow and spread.
The UT Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology have developed a different drug that can actually kill glioblastoma cells. This drug triggers the glioblastoma cells to fill up with fluid-filled bubbles called vacuoles. Over time, the cancer cells become overwhelmed by vacuoles and die.
Both of these drug candidates have shown great promise; however, before they can be approved for clinical trials in humans, they must first undergo rigorous screening in animal models. Historically, such screens have been performed in mouse and rat models. Unfortunately, these types of studies are laborious, expensive and take years to complete. The zebrafish model provides another option.
Zebrafish are small minnows, native to India and the surrounding region, which have been gaining popularity among scientists for biomedical research. These small fish are ideal for biomedical studies, because the young fish are transparent, allowing researchers to easily observe organ development and function. The cancer cells that are stained with special dyes can be implanted into young zebrafish in order to visually track how cancer cells grow and spread.
By using the zebrafish model, they can
compress years of work into a few months and spend a fraction of the
cost to more quickly identify safe and efficient cancer treatments,
allowing us to speed up the process of saving lives.
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