Since 2010 is approaching to the end, it is good to collect the best discoveries of cancer research for this year. There are top 5 discoveries of cancer research in 2010 in my opinion.

Cancer Research in 2010

1. New Biomarkers to Detect Cancer

On 2nd of February 2010, a group of scientists have claimed that they have found the antibodies that are able to target abnormal glycoproteins and can be used to assist in cancer detection.

An antibody is protein produced by our body’s immune system when the antigens (harmful substances) are detected. However, sometimes our immune system produces the autoantibodies when the healthy tissue was mistakenly considered as harmful substance. This usually happens on cancer patients. The autoantibodies are produced to against their own cancer cells.

Therefore, the scientists strongly believe that such antibodies can potentially help doctor to detect the cancer by simple blood test according to their cancer research. They made the hypothesis that the abnormal molecular structures of O-glycoproteins which synthesized by cancer cells might induce the synthesis of autoantibodies.

2. New Way to Repair BRCA1 Cancer Gene Mutation

As we all know, the mutations in the BRCA1 gene will potentially increase the risk of getting the breast and ovarian cancer. Luckily, on 1st of April 2010, a group of researchers have successfully repaired the BRCA1 gene mutation in mice. The mouse BRCA1-associated mammary tumors are alike to human BRCA1-associated breast cancer when we talk about the tumor aggressiveness, high incidence, mutations and genetic instability.

According to the cancer research, the scientists discovered when a gene called 53BP1 was defective, the mammary tumors that normally grow in BRCA1 mutant mice were suppressed too. At the same time, the DNA repair function will be recovered when the 53BP1 gene was inactivated. This can help to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.

3. More Toxicity for Tamoxifen than Raloxifene

On 19th of April 2010, a long-term cancer research of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene showed that the Raloxifene which can be used for breast cancer prevention as Tamoxifen but with lower toxicities. As we all know, Tamoxifen has been used for many years for breast cancer prevention as well as treatment. On the other hand, Raloxifene is an osteoporosis drug that has the same function as Tamoxifen.

This discovery allows the clinician to consider using the Raloxifene for breast cancer treatment or prevention instead of using the Tamoxifen. Yet, although it possesses higher toxicity, the Tamoxifen continues to deliver better results to prevent invasive and noninvasive breast cancer.

4. New Treatment for Neuroblastoma Tumors

On 13th of May 2010, there was a new discovery for neuroblastoma tumors treatment. The scientists found that the Perifosine may be effective to treat this childhood cancer. The Perifosine effectively inhibited neuroblastoma growth and caused tumor regression in mice implanted with human neuroblastom tumor cells. Perifosine is an oral anticancer agent and potent inhibitor of a protein known as AKT. This new finding opens a new sight for the scientists to explore in cancer research.

5. New Inflammatory Syndrome

On 29th of June 2010, the scientists have detected a new inflammatory syndrome called interleukin-6 syndrome. This syndrome is caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in some people with HIV/AIDS. This finding enables the scientists to look and explore deeply via cancer research about the disease so that the prevention can be done.

Summing up, these top 5 findings of cancer research are significantly help to improve the advancement of cancer research in global. Yet, there were other good findings of cancer research that I did not included in this article. You may go and find it out.