Understanding How Ionizing
Radiation Causes Cancer
For many years, we have known that ionizing radiation, such
as X-rays and gamma rays, can cause cancer, however, researchers have never
known how many tumors have been caused by radiation, or how this damage occurs.
Through a study done by researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute,
we can now identify two patterns of damage to DNA done by ionizing radiation.
These patterns are known as mutational signatures. A mutational signature is
the molecular fingerprint left by DNA damage on the genome of a cancer
cell. By studying the mutational
signatures in tumors caused by
radiation, and spontaneously formed tumors, the researchers from the
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute were able to note two mutational signatures
that were shown in tumors caused by radiation. These mutational signatures were
found to be independent of cancer type, and helped explain how ionizing
radiation damages DNA.
The first mutational signature is a deletion, where small
numbers of DNA bases are cut out. The second mutational signature is a balanced
inversion, where the DNA is cut in two places, and the middle piece spins
around and reconnects in the opposite direction. This type of damage does not
occur naturally in the body, however, high-energy radiation can cause enough
DNA breaks at the same time to make it possible. Clinician researcher, Dr. Sam
Behjati, did mention that there are probably more types of mutational damage,
caused by radiation, than the two noted by the Welcome Trust Sanger Institute
group, but these two specific examples give researchers a great basis for
understanding what is happening to DNA during radiation, and how this can cause
cancer.
This information was found in an article, from
BiologyNews.net, titled, Study reveals
how ionising radiation damages DNA and causes cancer. I chose this article,
because I found it to be very interesting. I didn’t realize that before this
study, researchers did not know how ionizing radiation causes cancer, and I
think this is a very important step for the treatment and prevention of cancer.
As mentioned in the article, by understanding exactly how tumors are being
caused by radiation, we can come up with ways to efficiently treat these types
of tumors.
-Mindy C.
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ReplyDeleteThis post was intriguing to me due to personal experience. My wife has Crohn's Disease and has experience with this kind of radiation. Before she was diagnosed she had a lot of CT scans when they were trying to figure out what was wrong with her. Now she has to be very careful about only getting CT scans and X Rays when absolutely necessary. Because of her exposure I worry that she will need cancer treatment later in life. Understanding what exactly is the cause of cancer is a huge first step in figuring out how to treat it, so this research is great news. JS
ReplyDeleteThis article was very intriguing as it brought up many specifics to how cancer is formed. With this information being so specific I hope that we are steps closer to reaching an answer to help cure and eventually stop the development of these cancers. I other words, I hope this also draw attention to the dangers of X-rays and CT scans and we can find a safer way to image the human body.
ReplyDelete-M. Aldridge
This post is really interesting to me. I am so glad they are getting closer and closer to getting a handle on cancer. I am really hoping they will be able to find a safer way to get x-rays, ct scans and other forms of scans so that people can have one less thing to worry about when at the hospital.
ReplyDeleteThis article is interesting to me, because I feel as though now days we hear about all of these different carcinogens. I feel like everything we use can either cause cancer or increase your risk of getting cancer. Like discussed in this article, x-rays and gamma rays may be cancer causing. My uncle died of cancer a number of years ago, and I am hoping to go into cancer research, so this subject is very interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI also had a question. Do all of the carcinogens we hear about now days function in the same way? It talks about mutations in this article, but are most cancers caused by mutations?
ReplyDeleteI like how you start off by saying how they have known these types of radiation have caused tumors but don't know exactly how it does it or how many have occurred due to it. I enjoyed learning about the mutational signatures that cause these tumors and the types of mutations that are caused (inversion & deletion).-D.B.
ReplyDelete