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UTCVM Wang's Research Makes Journal Cover

 

The research of Dr. Hwa-Chain Robert Wang, Associate Professor in the Department of Pathobiology at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, was recognized on the cover of Molecular Carcinogenesis in May, 2008. The article, Precancerous Carcinogenesis of Human Breast Cells by Chronic Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (Nalin Siriwardhana and Wang) was originally published on-line in October, 2007.

Transformation of breast epithelial cells from noncancerous to pre-cancerous to cancerous occurs over a number of years and results from multiple environmental factors that affect multiple cellular processes.   For these reasons, this type of cancer is difficult to emulate in the laboratory and thus difficult to study. However, Dr. Wangs research team developed a cellular model that uses human breast epithelial cells exposed to picomolar concentrations of Benzo[a]pyrene, a cancer-causing substance found in tobacco, the environment, and certain dietary chemicals. Using picomolar concentrations more accurately mimics the long-term, gradual exposure to small amounts of carcinogens people experience every day. This cellular model shows that these cells develop distinct characteristics on the way to becoming precancerous. Furthermore, the model shows that biological amounts of green tea catechins, a component of green tea, inhibit pre-cancer formation in these cells. Therefore, this new cellular model is capable of serving as a way to identify agents that prevent cancerous progression of human breast epithelial cells.

 

 

 

Posted: 06-13-08 Viewed: 792 times