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Genetic Role Discovered for Lower Incidence of Solid Tumor Cancers in Down Syndrome

New research conducted by DSRTF Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Roger Reeves, Professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and his colleagues has led to the discovery that increased levels of a chromosome 21 gene, designated Ets2, result in significantly lower incidence, and smaller size, of intestinal tumors in DS mouse models.  A number of previous epidemiological studies have indicated a lower incidence of certain types of solid tumors in individuals Down syndrome, suggesting that trisomy 21 provides a level of protection from these tumors.  The results of this new research, published in the January 3, 2008 issue of the prestigious journal Nature (1), may now provide part of the explanation for this protection in individuals with Down syndrome as well as, a path to new therapeutic strategies for solid tumor cancers.

The results in this new study were surprising since earlier research indicated that the Ets2 gene and its encoded protein functioned as an oncogene linked to tumor promotion and growth.  However, the discovery of the suppression of tumor development and growth in mice with an extra copy of the Ets2 gene, as well as the reported lower incidence of solid tumors in the Down syndrome population, now suggests that increased expression of the Ets2 gene can actually repress tumor formation (2).  Additional research studies will be required to determine whether increased levels of the Ets2 encoded protein can prevent or reduce the development of other solid tumor cancers, and, further, lead to new drugs with safe and effective therapeutic applications.

“These intriguing new research results dramatically underscore the important potential for very broad impact of advances in Down syndrome research,” said Dr. Michael Harpold, DSRTF CEO. “Such research, including investigations relating to the high incidence of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease pathology in addition to the lower incidences of solid tumors and atherosclerosis associated with Down syndrome, may lead to new biomedical insights and therapeutic strategies significantly benefiting not only individuals with Down syndrome but also the much wider population affected by these disorders.”

Citations:

1. T.E. Sussan et al. (2008) Trisomy represses APCMin-mediated tumours in mouse models of Down syndrome. Nature 451, 73-75.http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7174/abs/nature06446.html
2. Nature Editor’s Summary:  http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7174/edsumm/e080103-07.html

Links to related news reports:
Gene dose affects tumor growth: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2008/01_03_08.html
Low cancer risk for those with Down syndrome:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22474607/
Down syndrome may curb cancer: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20080102/down-syndrome-may-curb-cancer