Scientists stimulate carcinogenesis in mice

VIENNA - Scientists in Austria have been able to recreate mutations that lead to malignant cell growth in mice, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reported on Sunday.

A team of scientists conducted the research on the understanding that cancer is not caused by mutation alone, but rather an accumulation of "random" mutations that eventually lead to malignant cell growth, often caused by environmental influences.

The scientists were led by Robert Eferl from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research and the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Medical University of Vienna.

"In most cases the cancer is about nine to ten modifications of the genome. For us it's about clarifying what changes lead to the formation of tumors," Eferl told the APA.

The results of the research, to be published in the "Nature Methods," showed that the interplay of the genetic modifications impacted on signaling pathways in cells that are important for cancer development.

It is hoped the results of the research would give a clearer indication of how cancer can be treated with better, and more targeted therapeutic agents.