SURVIVIN
GENE EXPRESSION
OVERVIEW EXPLANATION
The Survivin protein plays a role in inhibiting Apoptosis, the normal process of programmed cell death. Survivin does not appear in normal mature cells, but is expressed only in the developing foetus - and in Cancer Cells, where its role in preventing cell death allows these damaged cells to survive the normal elimination process and continue to divide unchecked.
Hence, an assay for Survivin can help to predict the sustainability of a patient’s tumour. High quantities of the protein reflect a Cancer Cell population that is resistant to both natural and drug-induced destruction, and suggests the need for alternative means of treatment. Conversely, low Survivin quantities indicate that the cancer present may be a prime candidate for just such targeted cellular eradication.
DETAILED EXPLANATION
Survivin is a protein, which is produced in many fetal tissues such as the kidneys, liver, lungs and brain in addition to transformed cell lines and most cancers. Survivin is not found in terminally differentiated adult tissues but transformed cells and most cancers produce survivin. Whilst a critical role for Survivin in tumour growth has been established, overproduction of Survivin in rapidly growing cells may explain its abundance in tumours. This assay is able to assist in the estimation of Cancer Cells to survive the normal destructive process and to continue the growth process.
High quantities indicate the presence of a Cancer Cell population which is resistant to its destruction by the immunological cells, chemo-drugs and any Apoptosis (programmed cell death) inducing agents. In this case, the induction of necrosis (accidental cell death) would be appropriate to destroy the resistant Cancer Cells. Low quantities of survivin indicate a possibility of destroying Cancer Cells by inducing Apoptosis.
APPLICATION
This assay will provide extremely valuable and accurate information relating to all forms of cancer.
The Survivin protein plays a role in inhibiting Apoptosis, the normal process of programmed cell death. Survivin does not appear in normal mature cells, but is expressed only in the developing foetus - and in Cancer Cells, where its role in preventing cell death allows these damaged cells to survive the normal elimination process and continue to divide unchecked.
Hence, an assay for Survivin can help to predict the sustainability of a patient’s tumour. High quantities of the protein reflect a Cancer Cell population that is resistant to both natural and drug-induced destruction, and suggests the need for alternative means of treatment. Conversely, low Survivin quantities indicate that the cancer present may be a prime candidate for just such targeted cellular eradication.
DETAILED EXPLANATION
Survivin is a protein, which is produced in many fetal tissues such as the kidneys, liver, lungs and brain in addition to transformed cell lines and most cancers. Survivin is not found in terminally differentiated adult tissues but transformed cells and most cancers produce survivin. Whilst a critical role for Survivin in tumour growth has been established, overproduction of Survivin in rapidly growing cells may explain its abundance in tumours. This assay is able to assist in the estimation of Cancer Cells to survive the normal destructive process and to continue the growth process.
High quantities indicate the presence of a Cancer Cell population which is resistant to its destruction by the immunological cells, chemo-drugs and any Apoptosis (programmed cell death) inducing agents. In this case, the induction of necrosis (accidental cell death) would be appropriate to destroy the resistant Cancer Cells. Low quantities of survivin indicate a possibility of destroying Cancer Cells by inducing Apoptosis.
APPLICATION
This assay will provide extremely valuable and accurate information relating to all forms of cancer.
