A Biologist describes ‘The Microcosmos of Cancer’

Amaia Lujambio in the laboratory of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York, where she is currently working. FOTO:

Amaia Lujambio, a graduate in Biology of the University of Navarra and a researcher at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, USA), has published a review article in one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world, Nature. In the article, she reveals the role of microRNAs, genes which do not give rise to proteins, but which regulate the function of many other genes.

As discussed by the researcher in her article "The Microcosmos of Cancer", these tiny-sized RNA are fundamental for any physiological and pathological process, including cancer, "since in this disease the expression of conventional genes and of microRNA is altered, as has been observed in studies with mice and in samples from patients".

"This aberrant (and erroneous) expression of the microRNA", continued the specialist, "can be used as a therapeutic target in order to arrive more quickly at a diagnosis, or to be more precise in the prognosis of the disease". In addition, she predicts with assurance that the role of microNRA will go farther: "Due to its small size –proteins are large and cannot enter the cell– microRNA can be used in therapies against cancer".

In addition, she noted that cancer is not a single disease, but rather a set of illnesses. "Practically every type of cell can give rise to a different cancer. To which is added the different mutations and alterations, which multiply the possibilities. Therefore, the treatment of the disease involves identifying which alterations are presented by the tumor cells of a determined individual. That is, it involves the personalized study of cancer".

This manner of treatment was unfeasible only a few years ago, since it was a long and tedious process. Nevertheless, new technological advances permit analyzing the genome of an individual in a rapid and inexpensive manner.  "This means that the mutations of a tumor can be identified and the most appropriate therapy can be selected, along with analyzing –and anticipating– the mechanisms of resistance.  In fact, in the U.S., personalized studies are used with some patients, although not in a generalized way".

The crisis and investment in science
After studying Biology at the University of Navarra –where she obtained the Extraordinary End of Studies Award and the second National Licentiate Prize– Amaia Lujambio, a native of Goizueta, performed her doctorate at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), with Manel Esteller. Since then, she has been performing postdoctoral studies in the U.S. with Scott Lowe, one of the top experts in the world in the genetics of cancer, first at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and more recently at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, both in New York.

The 30-year-old researcher recognizes that the economic crisis has not affected the U.S. equally: "Both the government as well as American society recognize that if they reduce investment in science now, they can lose their leading position in the world, and this would have serious consequences for the American economy over the medium term. In addition, their system for financing scientific research includes the government but also involves private companies and individual donations. Society as a whole is involved in obtaining financing for research, especially for cancer research. In the case of Spain, not investing in science may mean that we fall seriously behind", she concluded.