Groundbreaking Research at University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research

Researchers at the University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (CICR) have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of cervical cancer. Using a novel technique called "gene silencing", scientists have been able to target and eliminate the formation of cancer tumors in animal models. This approach has the potential to develop a more effective treatment for cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death in women aged 25-50 worldwide. By focusing on the over-production of viral cancer-causing genes, the research team has demonstrated a promising avenue for developing a cancer-specific treatment.

Key Takeaways:

Researchers at the University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (CICR) have pioneered a new approach for the treatment of cervical cancer using "gene silencing".
The novel technique targets and turns off single genes in a cell, specifically the viral cancer-causing genes E6 and E7 responsible for cervical cancer.
The research has shown that the treatment can completely eliminate the formation of cancer tumors in animal models.
Gene silencing enhanced the effect of chemotherapy by up to 4 times.
A treatment using this technique is at least 3 years away.

The current treatments for cervical cancer, radiation and chemotherapy, have significant side effects such as hair loss and nausea.
The research has the potential to develop a cancer-specific treatment for advanced cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women aged 25-50 worldwide and causes around 300 deaths per year in Australia.
The research team was able to turn off the production of viral cancer-causing genes in cancer cells, resulting in the death of the cancer.

Statistics:

Cervical cancer causes around 300 deaths per year in Australia.
The leading cause of cancer death in women aged 25-50 worldwide is cervical cancer.
Radiation and chemotherapy, current treatments for cervical cancer, kill not only cancer cells but also normal cells.

Sources:

"University of Queensland's Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research (CICR) via Health & Medicine Week".