The humble fruit fly is helping scientists find a cure for brain tumors. Using Drosophila as a model, the researchers were able to identify and examine cells in the initial stages of tumor formation within the brain.
Dr. Claudia Barros. PHOTO Facebook Brain Tumor Research
Scientists believe that fruit flies could stop the development of brain tumors, reports dpa, quoted by Agerpres.
A group of experts from the Brain Tumor Research Center of Excellence at the University of Plymouth, southwest England, succeeded in identifying and examining cells in the early stages of development using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model.
The research helps to understand the evolution of gliomas, which include advanced forms such as glioblastoma.
In the case of glioblastomas, which have a low survival rate, the tumors grow rapidly, invading and destroying healthy tissue. They can occur at any age, but tend to occur more often in the elderly.
Symptoms include headaches that keep getting worse, nausea and vomiting, blurred or double vision, and seizures.
Dr Claudia Barros, who led new research published in EMBO Reports, said her team discovered processes of “training” which indicates how tumors form and grow.
“We managed to identify and examine cells in the initial stages of brain tumor formation”
According to the specialist, the research contributes to the understanding of how brain tumors could form and opened ways to find new potential drug targets for new therapies for glioma patients, she explained.
“Using the fruit fly Drosophila as a model, we were able to identify and examine cells in the initial stages of brain tumor formation inside the brain. These cells have the most striking differences in metabolism and protein balance landscape compared to normal cells“, mentioned doctor Claudia Barros.
However, there is still much work to be done, according to Dr. Karen Noble, director of Brain Tumor Research.
“But these early findings are significant because, with more investigation, they could help us develop new treatments that will target tumor cells more effectively and thus improve patient outcomes.”Karen Noble continues.
