Positive results from first epigenetic drugs for leukemia
More than 400 researchers participated in the first 'Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer' held by B·Debate and the IMPPC. The next edition, in 2014, will be organized by Idibell.
By Biocat
For two days, Barcelona has been the capital of epigenetics and cancer research. More than 400 researchers from around the world participated in the Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer: Challenges, Opportunities and Perspectives held by B·Debate and the Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC) on 21 and 22 November, discussing the possibilities of exploiting knowledge in this field to develop new cancer treatments.
Epigenetic changes can be caused by many external factors, like the environment, age or eating habits. These factors can cause changes in the chromatin, which is the combination of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus of cells and that make up their chromosomes. Some of these changes are caused by the addition or loss of the chemical group methyl, known as methylation or demethylation. Dr. Manuel Perucho, co-scientific leader of this B·Debate, gives the example of colon cancer, which is one of the types that causes the most deaths, where it has been seen that higher demethylation levels lead to higher relapse rates.
More information at the B·Debate website.
- Related news (19 November 2013)
- Press release (18 November 2013)
- News on other B·Debate activities
Organizers: |
Collaborators: |