Archive for July, 2009

Radiation Therapy

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Radiation therapy is an exciting new technique being used to combat cancer. This fascinating technology is always evolving. It works by damaging the DNA of cells. The damage is caused by directing a beam of photons, protons, electrons, neutrons, or ions which can directly or indirectly ionize the atoms which make up the DNA chain. Although this may seem permanent, cells have mechanisms for repairing DNA after this process has happened, which is why Radiation Therapists now focus on breaking the DNA on each separate strand to ensure the DNA is destroyed. This DNA damage has been observed to be inherited throughout the cell division of tumors leading to cancer cell apoptosis or decrease in the rate of cancer cell division.

While there are also many drawbacks of radiation therapy, the largest one is cells of solid tumors often become deficient in oxygen and cause hypoxia. This causes the radiation to be far less effective because tumor cells in a hypoxic environment have a shown a general resistance to radiation therapy. Currently, researchers are working hard to solve this problem.

By providing researchers with the samples they need, we are hopeful we can contribute to new advances in this exciting field. If you have and question please feel free to comment or fill out the form to the left.

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JAK2+ | Conversant

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

The JAK2 (Janus Kinase 2) is becoming very relevant in ongoing cancer studies, mainly in the area of myeloproliferative disorders (MPD’s). These disorders can be classified as diseases where the bone marrow produces excess cells. Coincidentally, many MPD’s are related and often evolve into cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia. Polycythemia vera (PV), one of the more common MPD’s, is a brand of MPD in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.

Amazingly, recent research has shown a mutation in the JAK2, ties all of the above information together. Multiple research facilities recently observed a mutation recognized now as JAK2 V617F, more commonly called the JAK2+ mutation. Many researchers are in agreement that a major breakthrough in MPD therapeutics can be discovered by further understanding this JAK2+ mutation.

Currently, JAK2+ inhibitors are being tested in vitro and through clinical trials. By providing clients with specimens known to be JAK2+ we feel we are fueling advances in MPD’s and PV studies. If you have any questions or comments about our JAK2+ samples please feel to leave a comment or fill out the form to the left

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Antigen-specific Targeting

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Antigen-specific targeting is a promising new technique in cancer therapy. It involves targeting cell surface groups unique to a specific type of cell with a cytotoxic antibody. Since most cell types present receptors unique to them, cancer therapy can be selectively targeted. One area of research in antigen-specific targeting is centered on the clusters of differentiation (CD), cell surface receptors, found on white blood cells. Each class of white blood cells, T-cell, B-cell, macrophages, etc, has a specific CD and can be selectively targeted.

Antigen-specific targeting is currently divided into a few subtypes. One of them involves the use of receptor specific antibodies to target and block the antigen receptor. The cancer therapy drug trastuzumab, is a monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a cell-surface receptor that is commonly over-activated in breast cancer cells and is a factor contributing to the up-regulation of cell proliferation genes. Trastuzumab binds this receptor and shuts it down, limiting breast tumor cell proliferation in individuals whose cancer is related to an over-expression of HER2. Another type of antigen-specific drugs are the antibodies conjugated to truncated peptide toxins, such as diphtheria toxin and pseudomonas exotoxin. These immunotoxins work by binding to a cell surface receptor of the target, and moving the peptide toxin into the cell, whereby it causes apoptosis. RFB4-dgA is a new drug in phase 1 studies that is a fusion of anti-CD22 and modified ricin toxin proposed for B-NHL, and CLL.

Antigen-specific targeting is a promising area of research that has great potential. This is still a need to further research and study this approach to cancer therapy, its efficacy, and safety. Conversant is proud to offer highly annotate, biological specimens for research. In regards to antigen-specific targeting, we also have the ability to enrich samples with regards to certain cells types.

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The Great Divide: Cellular Senescence

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

One of the most important terms to understand when referring to cancer research is senescence. Basically, cellular senescence is a phenomenon by which normal cells lose their ability to divide in vitro. Generally, cells in vitro only have the capability of dividing about 50 times before experiencing apoptosis.

Many researchers are in agreement cellular senescence is key in understanding cancer cells because almost all do not experience this programmed cell death. In fact, back in the mid-1950s, a biopsy of cervical cancer was removed from a woman named Henrietta Lacks and grown in tissue culture. While Ms. Lacks died long ago, the cells from her biopsy, known as HeLa cells, are widely-used in general cancer research because they still continue to divide to this day. This is possible because of the lack of cellular senescence.

Researchers believe senescence is caused by the shortening of telomeres and DNA damage. They have also proven this is what leads to aging and eventually, death. A few even believe by silencing this process we can reverse the effects of aging and attain the mythical “fountain of youth”.

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An Intern’s Take on Conversant: Stefan Brzezinski

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Hello all, I am Stefan Brzezinski, a summer intern at Conversant. As the summer draws to a close, I look back on the wonderful time I have spent at Conversant. I couldn’t be surrounded by better people. Professionalism defines the associates of Conversant, but I would say that the outgoing friendliness is a definite attribute. I have gained a greater appreciation of what “biobanking” is and why it’s so vitally important to continuing research. Conversant’s system of integrating biology and technology allows them to supply researchers with the highly annotated biological specimens they need. High technology is definitely not in short supply here. During my first week I was a little overwhelmed with the impressive breadth of software being used to coordinate the path from collecting the sample at the clinical site to placing it into inventory. This is what I believe biobanking is, the use of advanced technology to collect and maintain biological specimens. Access to an exemplary biobank like Conversant is a resource I feel will greatly advance cancer and disease research. I have sincerely enjoyed my time at Conversant.

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