Japanese mesothelioma researchers recently published a study reporting on the success of combining a PLK-1 siRNA with zoledronic acid treatment against mesothelioma cells in vitro.

A great deal of mesothelioma research takes place “in vitro” (in the glass) rather than “in vivo” (in the living). In vitro studies are preliminary studies that effectively test potential mesothelioma treatments without presenting risk to human patients coping with the cancer. These studies take place in a test tube (in the glass) amid a laboratory setting.

This in vitro study sought to test the combination of various biological agents against the growth of malignant mesothelioma cells. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma cancer is notably resistant to current treatments and consequently much research is being conducted to find a cure.

The primary biological agents examined in this study include polo-like kinase-1 (PLK-1), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and zoledronic acid (ZOL).

PLK-1 belongs to the PLK family of kinases, which are enzymes that transfer phosphate groups to high-energy molecules. PLK-1 is involved in the regulation of cell division at several crucial points, and studies have shown that PLK-1 is overexpressed in cancerous tissue and that expression levels are tightly correlated with patient prognosis.

As such, PLK-1 is considered a pathway for effective cancer treatment and a number of studies have been conducted to better understand the biologic processes involved. Short interfering RNAs can work against PLK-1 and have been investigated in the past. Another biological agent observed in the study is zoledronic acid, which has shown to have direct anti-tumor effects against a variety of cancer cells.

The researchers found, “Our results show that these agents induce apoptosis [cell death] and inhibit the proliferation of MM cells. In addition, we found that ZOL enhances the inhibitory effects of PLK-1 siRNA.”

Additional information on mesothelioma and treatment options may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

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