Scientists discover Puma gene that can help prevent adult stem lossduring cancer treatment

Carol Forsloff - Cancer's devastating characteristics makes it urgent for researchers to
come up with solutions for better treatment, and one that reduces adult
stem loss is one of those.

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At the University
of California, scientists have discovered a gene that is important in
the loss of adult stem cells.  This can significantly improve the health
of cancer patients undergoing treatment.

“During
chemotherapy or radiation therapy that kills cancer cells by inducing
significant DNA damage in their genomes, one of the main side effects
for human cancer patients is the depletion of their own adult stem
cells, particularly the ones responsible for making new blood and
intestine cells. So these patients become anemic, lose appetite and a
lot of weight,” said Yang Xu.

Xu is a a
professor of biology at UC San Diego and chief of the team making the
discovery.  The findings will be published in an upcoming edition of
Nature Cell Biology.

Xu went on to
say, “If we can prevent the loss of stem cells during cancer therapy,
that would be very beneficial for these patients.”

The gene is called
"Puma" and found critical in the  depletion of various adult stem
cells.  This, scientists believe, can prevent the loss of adult stem
cells that otherwise may be lost during cancer therapy.