Humanized Mice Disease Research Breakthroughs

Research and drug development is an invaluable tool in the fight against disease and the race to cure it. A recent development in the way humanized mice can be genetically engineered has only furthered the groundbreaking research findings of medical teams and scientists all around the globe. With the ability to give mice human cells, tissues and, even in some cases, organs, we are closer than ever to ensuring that a drug is as safe as possible for human trials before it ever even gets to this critical part of its journey. Let's take a look at some of the latest drug and research breakthroughs that are changing the face of modern medicine and giving hope to millions of patients and their families worldwide...


Malaria Molecule May Be the Perfect "Trojan Horse" to Attack Cancer Cells While Sheltering Healthy Cells

While developing a vaccine to protect pregnant women against malaria, scientists made a startling discovery. The same molecule that malaria parasites use to latch on to the placenta is the same molecule found in 90% of all cancer tumors. This news prompted scientists to test a "Trojan horse" type of treatment on genetically engineered mice with prostate, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and breast cancers. By placing cancer eradicating drugs into this molecule, the team discovered that the molecule treated tumors the same as placentas, bonding to the cancer cells only and shrinking tumors on a significant level.

The discovery was so significant that human trials could begin in as little as four years. Professor Salanti of the research team leading this discovery is cautiously optimistic. Can humans tolerate the drug as well as mice or will it be ineffective? Will it cause symptoms? All of these questions have yet to be answered but the results produced in humanized mice are remarkable and enough reason to get excited about the years ahead which may lead to new, potent cancer treatments. Contact us if you have any questions.


MRSA May Be Effected By Popular Breast Cancer Drug

Drug resistant MRSA is a growing problem in hospitals around the world. Creating new effective drugs takes time and there is always the potential for harmful side effects. Rethinking safe, already approved drugs and re-purposing them may hold the key to fighting MRSA. When given to mice, the common breast cancer drug Tamoxifen showed promise in combating the bacteria. Mice without the drug lived for one day. 35% of mice given Tamoxifen were still alive after five days. This suggests that the potential of this drug to help some patients may be worth looking into further, possibly providing new treatment options for MRSA infections.

As research and drug development teams journey to find cures for diseases that are both safe and effective, humanized mice trials prove to be invaluable to furthering research and getting medications to trial faster. Without this vital work, many of the medications on the market today would still be living in the laboratory. Breakthrough after breakthrough, we still have so much to learn about the human body, the diseases that hinder it and the science to change it all but day by day, we are closer than ever to the next big thing in all three.