De:
J.G. Hofstaetter, B. Pemmer, C. Weixelbaumer, M. Foelser, A. Roschger, P. Wobrauschek, R. Simon, S. Lang,
M. Dominkus, R. Windhager, P. Roschger, K. Klaushofer, C. Streli.
Medical University of Vienna. "First study worldwide to show higher concentration of trace elements in bone cancer." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140721100121.htm (accessed November 27, 2014).
First study worldwide to show higher concentration of trace elements in bone cancer
Primer estudio en todo el mundo para mostrar mayor concentración de elementos traza en cáncer de hueso
(Vienna, 21st July 2014) In a study that is the only one of its kind worldwide, researchers from the MedUni Vienna, the Vienna Technical University and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute have investigated the distribution of trace elements in the tissue of bone tumours. The result: tumour tissue contains higher concentrations of trace elements. This could represent a starting point for the development of targeted therapies for bone cancer.
According to estimates, around 24 patients a year in Austria are diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This makes this malignant bone tumour which, if left untreated, can be fatal, one of the most common cancers to affect the bones. Most cases are diagnosed in young people aged between ten and 25 years.
The causes of osteosarcoma are still largely unknown. Currently, surgical intervention is the only targeted treatment method, and the spectrum of effective drug-based treatments is relatively narrow compared to other types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
High-tech investigation
This was another reason for a group of researchers led by Jochen Hofstätter of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna and of the "Orthopädische Spital Speising" (OSS) to shed more light on the biology of this type of cancer. Together with Christina Streli from the Atomic Institute of the Vienna Technical University and Klaus Klaushofer from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Osteology, a study investigated for the first time worldwide the concentration of trace elements in bone tumours.
To do this, the affected region was first fixed via an examination under the electron microscope (backscattered electron imaging) and then investigated using synchrotron radiation, a type of X-ray radiation generated in a particle accelerator. This measurement was carried out in Germany, as Austria currently does not have the equipment to do it. Says Hofstätter: “The results show that the concentration of iron and zinc in the tumour tissue is several times higher than in healthy tissue. The tumour tissue therefore appears to create an environment in which trace elements are able to form bonds more easily. We are keen, however, to investigate the role of trace elements in more detail in further studies.”
Successful interdisciplinary collaboration
Says Hofstätter: “Compared to other methods, this investigation is the most technically challenging, but also the most accurate. The results we have achieved, made possible only through the cooperation of three institutions, demonstrate how important interdisciplinary and even cross-institution collaboration is for successful research.”
New approaches to therapy
Reinhard Windhager, Head of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital and a member of the study group says: “In the field of drug-based therapy for osteosarcoma, there are still many unanswered questions: some tumours respond to chemotherapy, some don't. These new results could offer an approach for new, targeted and personalised forms of treatment.”
According to estimates, around 24 patients a year in Austria are diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This makes this malignant bone tumour which, if left untreated, can be fatal, one of the most common cancers to affect the bones. Most cases are diagnosed in young people aged between ten and 25 years.
The causes of osteosarcoma are still largely unknown. Currently, surgical intervention is the only targeted treatment method, and the spectrum of effective drug-based treatments is relatively narrow compared to other types of cancer, such as breast cancer.
High-tech investigation
This was another reason for a group of researchers led by Jochen Hofstätter of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna and of the "Orthopädische Spital Speising" (OSS) to shed more light on the biology of this type of cancer. Together with Christina Streli from the Atomic Institute of the Vienna Technical University and Klaus Klaushofer from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Osteology, a study investigated for the first time worldwide the concentration of trace elements in bone tumours.
To do this, the affected region was first fixed via an examination under the electron microscope (backscattered electron imaging) and then investigated using synchrotron radiation, a type of X-ray radiation generated in a particle accelerator. This measurement was carried out in Germany, as Austria currently does not have the equipment to do it. Says Hofstätter: “The results show that the concentration of iron and zinc in the tumour tissue is several times higher than in healthy tissue. The tumour tissue therefore appears to create an environment in which trace elements are able to form bonds more easily. We are keen, however, to investigate the role of trace elements in more detail in further studies.”
Successful interdisciplinary collaboration
Says Hofstätter: “Compared to other methods, this investigation is the most technically challenging, but also the most accurate. The results we have achieved, made possible only through the cooperation of three institutions, demonstrate how important interdisciplinary and even cross-institution collaboration is for successful research.”
New approaches to therapy
Reinhard Windhager, Head of the University Department of Orthopaedics at the MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital and a member of the study group says: “In the field of drug-based therapy for osteosarcoma, there are still many unanswered questions: some tumours respond to chemotherapy, some don't. These new results could offer an approach for new, targeted and personalised forms of treatment.”
Según las estimaciones, alrededor de 24 pacientes al año en Austria son diagnosticados con osteosarcoma. Esto hace que este tipo de tumor óseo maligno que, si no se trata, puede ser mortal, uno de los cánceres más comunes que afectan a los huesos. La mayoría de los casos son diagnosticados en jóvenes de entre diez y 25 años.
Las causas de osteosarcoma aún no se conocen. Actualmente, la intervención quirúrgica es el método de tratamiento sólo se concentraron, y el espectro de tratamientos eficaces a base de drogas es relativamente estrecha en comparación con otros tipos de cáncer, como el cáncer de mama.
Investigación de alta tecnología
Esta fue otra de las razones para un grupo de investigadores dirigidos por Jochen Hofstätter del Departamento de Ortopedia de la Universidad en el MedUni Viena y de la "Orthopädische Spital Speising" (OSS) para arrojar más luz sobre la biología de este tipo de cáncer. Junto con Christina Streli del Instituto Atómica de la Universidad Técnica de Viena y Klaus Klaushofer del Instituto Ludwig Boltzmann de Osteología, un estudio investigó por primera vez en todo el mundo la concentración de elementos traza en los tumores óseos.
Para ello, la región afectada se ha corregido primero a través de un examen bajo el microscopio electrónico (imágenes por electrones retrodispersados) y luego investigado el uso de radiación sincrotrón, un tipo de radiación de rayos X generados en un acelerador de partículas. Esta medición se lleva a cabo en Alemania, Austria actualmente no tiene el equipo necesario para hacerlo. Hofstätter dice: "Los resultados muestran que la concentración de hierro y zinc en el tejido tumoral es varias veces mayor que en el tejido sano. Por consiguiente, el tejido tumoral parece crear un entorno en el que los elementos traza son capaces de formar enlaces más fácilmente. Estamos dispuestos, sin embargo, para investigar el papel de los oligoelementos en más detalle en futuros estudios ".
El éxito de la colaboración interdisciplinaria
Dice Hofstätter: "En comparación con otros métodos, esta investigación es la más difícil técnicamente, pero también el más preciso. Los resultados que hemos logrado, que son posibles sólo a través de la cooperación de las tres instituciones, demuestran la importancia de la colaboración interdisciplinaria e incluso cruz-institución es para una investigación exitosa ".
Los nuevos enfoques de la terapia
Reinhard Windhager, Jefe del Departamento de Ortopedia de la Universidad en el MedUni Viena y el Hospital General de Viena y miembro del grupo de estudio, dice: "En el campo de la terapia basada en fármacos para el osteosarcoma, todavía hay muchas preguntas sin respuesta: algunos tumores responden a quimioterapia, otros no. Estos nuevos resultados podrían ofrecer un enfoque de nuevas formas, específicas y personalizadas de tratamiento ".
Service:
“Differential distribution of trace elements in human osteosarcoma - A Synchrotron Radiation induced confocal micro x-ray fluorescence analysis (SR µ-XRF)”, J.G. Hofstaetter, B. Pemmer, C. Weixelbaumer, M. Foelser, A. Roschger, P. Wobrauschek, R. Simon, S. Lang,
M. Dominkus, R. Windhager, P. Roschger, K. Klaushofer, C. Streli.
“Differential distribution of trace elements in human osteosarcoma - A Synchrotron Radiation induced confocal micro x-ray fluorescence analysis (SR µ-XRF)”, J.G. Hofstaetter, B. Pemmer, C. Weixelbaumer, M. Foelser, A. Roschger, P. Wobrauschek, R. Simon, S. Lang,
M. Dominkus, R. Windhager, P. Roschger, K. Klaushofer, C. Streli.
