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Sometimes we really do not want to know what our bodies are doing. According to an article in the “Journal of Cell Biology”, (Sept. 6, 2010) our body cells eat when they are under pressure. Not having outside food available, they eat themselves. Cannibal cells, right in our own bodies-how creepy is that?
The process, called autophagy, is actually a healthy cleanup process-another miracle of biology. Autophagy cleans out exhausted organelles and irregular proteins within the cells. It is controlled by a protein labeled HMGB1, according to a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. This protein aids in cell survival by enhancing the cleanup process, fighting bacteria and chemical pollutants. It is the body’s own health care process.
The downside to HMGB1, according to the study, is that in cancer patients undergoing treatment, tumor cells can speed up autophagy to fight against chemicals and radiation. The more a tumor cell is damaged, the faster it works to get rid of the damage. Another downside, according to other studies, is that HMGB1can get out of control in times of overwhelming infection, and may start attacking the body’s own immune system, causing inflammation and further damage.
The findings of the Pittsburgh study indicate that as a health care measure, HMGB1 could be blocked temporarily during the treatment of cancer. However, if HMGB1 is blocked, will healthy cells die right along with the cancer cells? Further study is needed to determine side effects and after-effects of such a treatment.
If HMGB1 blockage proves to be successful, will health insurance companies add it to their list of approved treatments and be willing to pay for it? Is the American Cancer Society willing to put money into researching it? Like all issues of health, medicine like this will take time and money to develop, but who knows? Maybe it will be the next best thing in cancer treatment.
