Laron Syndrome – the key to finding a cure for cancer and anti-aging?
It may be possible that individuals with Laron Syndrome are the key to finding a cure for cancer. It is believed that this particular disease, which is quite rare, is the result of a particular gene that is mutated. As a result the person is going to be extremely small in size. It is believed that this particular mutation also prevents their body from cancer or diabetes developing.
The specific genetic mutation involved is the IGF1,and there are high levels of it for individuals with both cancer and diabetes. This information is the result of studies that have occurred with yeast, worms, and mice. The results of such testing have been validated and that is very exciting.
A study that covers a group of very short individuals from Ecuador that have Laron Syndrome have also been at the core of this particular study. The results indicate that the lack of the hormone growth receptor has resulted in these individuals having an extremely low amount of IGF1. They are also resistant to cancer or diabetes.
The result of this means that it may be possible to give those that are highly susceptible to cancer or diabetes medication that would reduce the occurrence of them developing. Such individuals include those that have a genetic predisposition to developing either cancer or diabetes.
The medication could also help to lower the risk for some individuals of getting cancer again. They may have beat it once, and the medication could be a way to prevent it from coming back again. Individuals that have Acromegaly could also benefit from such medications according to the study.
Those with Acromegaly are giants due to their bodies continuing to grow. They have the opposite gene mutation as those with Laron Syndrome. As a result, they have a higher risk of developing cancer, diabetes, and dying at a young age. Currently, individuals with Acromegaly are often given a type of medication called Pegvisomant. It helps to reduce the actions from growth hormones.
The extensive study involving the individuals with Laron Syndrome involved many steps. The goal was to determine first how the receptor is the core cause of them being short in stature. Next, their levels of IGF1 were checked and they were much lower than the normal person. The study grow involved 100 individuals ranging from the age of 10 on up. The study lasted for 22 years and the results are still conclusive that lower IGF1 levels can reduce the chances of cancer or diabetes.
It is possible that some human clinical trials will be possible in the near future due to these findings. There are many individuals that would be willing to take such medication to reduce their risk of cancer or diabetes. Of course there is always plenty of red tape involved with any such clinical trials. There has to be sufficient evidence that the benefits will outweigh any possible side effects.
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