This article was written on a study done at Loyola University
Chicago Stritch School of Medicine that was based off the complex molecular
process involving the protein that allows cancer cells to create tumors in
remote areas of the body. The molecule on the surface of cells, known as CXCR4
is abundant in 23 types of cancer, which include some of the most known and
most dangerous types; breast, lung, pancreas and thyroid cancer. The article
talks about how cancer in general kills its victim through the process of the
cells spreading to different parts of the body. When a tumor splits away from
the initial site of the cancer, it circulates the body. A molecule located
within the cell, called CXCL12 ends up causing the CXCR4 to signal said cancer
cell to make a new tumor, resulting in the spread of cancer to different parts
of the body. With the information above, the objective of this study is to
understand this signaling pathway. Using human cancer cells called HeLa,
researchers found a molecule that is essential in the signaling pathway. The
next step is to target the molecule, and disable it to stop the process of
cancer cells creating new tumors. The researchers’ are hopeful that the outcome
of this study will give them the ability to make a drug to help stop the
process.
This article effects humanity in many ways. For example,
cancer affects millions of people, whether those people have cancer themselves,
or their family members or friends have suffered or are suffering from cancer,
therefore, a groundbreaking discovery such as this one could provide a new
method to stop new tumors from developing in remote areas in the human body.
Essentially saving lives. Also, having multiple family members who have
suffered from cancer in the past, I am directly affected by this discovery
since it may help my family fight against cancer, and many generations to come
in the future.
This article was very informative, and I enjoyed reading it
due to the relative nature to my life and many others’ lives, I presume. It was
a nice read, and the article wasn’t too hard to follow, except for a few
instances. There were a few grammatical errors in the article and some
clarification on certain areas of the article would’ve been useful for myself
and other readers.
Loyola
University Health System. “How cancer cells start new tumor sites.” Biology News Net. Loyola University
Health System, 14 Mar. 2012. Web. 14 Mar. 2012. <http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/03/14/how_cancer_cells_start_new_tumor_sites.html>.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/03/14/how_cancer_cells_start_new_tumor_sites.html
This article review was pretty well done. The reviewer did a good job explaining in simpler words the complex process that causes cancer to arise in areas of our body, and how cancer can spread in this way to bring the most deadly results. The main point was that as tumor splits away from the initial cancer site it continues around the body and molecule located within the cell, called CXCL12, ends up causing the molecule on the surface of the cells to signal the other cell, which calls for new tumors to be produced around the body. Furthermore, this review presented the goal of the study well: by figuring out more about this signaler, scientists can attempt to target the molecule and disable it and, hence, cancer. Lastly, it is clear the reviewer thought about the larger implications of this study in his connection to the whole world, as he notes that this could be a step in the right direction toward helping millions of people.
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion might be to go into more detail on how exactly the researchers could stop this cancer-spreading molecule. I didn’t really get that. Also, I would have advised the reviewer to note that this is only one study, and it’s really just the beginning of something promising, not a means to go out and celebrate. It seems like there was a lot of idealism surrounding the review.
From reading this I got a better understanding of how cancer works and spreads itself in our bodies. I didn’t know that scientists had found such specific information on how cancer multiplies. I’ll be interested to see the follow-up studies.
Overall, I thought that Michael did a good job reviewing this article. I specifically thought that he was good at explaining this particularly complex molecular process. He clearly and concisely defined all of the terms he used and was able to simply summarize any chemical or biological process that he introduced. Furthermore, I liked how his summary and explanation of the article made me want to read it. He was able to present the problem that the article talked about in a way which made me interested to read more about the topic. Lastly, I thought that he did an excellent job of connecting the article and the topic back to humanity in general. Almost everyone is affect by cancer. I thought he made an good point in saying that even though you may not be affected directly by cancer yourself, most people know someone who has had cancer or who is fighting it currently.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Michael did a good job with this summary overall I thought that some aspects of the review could have been improved. For example, in the second paragraph there were some grammatical errors and a couple sentences were a little awkward. For example, he writes, “This article effects humanity in many ways. For example, cancer affects millions of people, whether those people have cancer themselves, or their family members or friends have suffered or are suffering from cancer, therefore, a groundbreaking discovery such as this one could provide a new method to stop new tumors from developing in remote areas in the human body. Essentially saving lives.” The first sentence is a run-on sentence and, while reading it, I found myself getting lost and confused. He should have broken those ideas up. Also, the phrase “essentially saving lives,” which is a phrase not a sentence. Lastly, I thought that certain parts of the review were not smooth or clear. He could have used better transitions, however part of this problem is due to the fact that he had a couple grammatical errors.
I never knew that cancer cells could start new tumor cells. I thought that this was very interesting and it makes me want to learn more about these chemical processes and how we can stop this.