Antibody research examines apoptosis in cancer cells

Scientists in Australia, New Zealand and China have worked together to use a number of types of antibody in research looking at apoptosis in cancer cells.

Apoptosis is the process by which cells die, but can become disrupted in cancerous tissue, leading to the uncontrolled growth of tumours.

Now the research, published in Cancer Cell International, has used a variety of antibody sources to determine whether interfering with the expression of the apoptosis inhibitor survivin can help to restore the regular pattern of cell death in prostate and cervical cancers.

The team used a rabbit anti-human/mouse survivin antibody and a goat anti-glutathione S-transferase antibody in their research.

They found that apoptosis of cancer cells grown in three-dimensional culture could be triggered by antagonising the function of the survivin.

In this way, they suggest that therapy for cancer patients could be devised, helping to overcome the drug resistance of some cancer cells and the consequently poorer performance of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.