The document discusses two scientific studies: 1) A study of identical twins which found that DNA rearrangements increased with age and may help explain immune system aging. Larger rearrangements were only in twins over 60, and rearrangements correlated with age. 2) A study linking faulty proteins to ovarian cancer and potential for expanding PARP inhibitor treatments to more patients. Additional defective proteins beyond BRCA may be driving ovarian cancer. This could change ovarian cancer treatment dynamics.

1. DANIEL VÉLEZ DÍAZ SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES UPB III SEMESTER FEBRUARY 13/ 2012 FOLDING

4. INTRODUCTION In a recent study led by Uppsala University, researchers compared the DNA of identical (monozygotic) twins of different age. During a person's life, continuous alterations in the cells' DNA occur. The researchers believe that the increased number of cells with DNA alterations among elderly can have a role in the senescence of the immune system. Many of defective proteins suspected in causing a malfunction in the body's ability to repair its own DNA could be the link scientists need to prove a new class of drugs will be effective in treating a broad range of ovarian cancer patients, an Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute study found.

5. IDENTICAL TWINS REVEAL MECHANISMS BEHIND AGING ScienceDaily (Feb 2 / 2012) Part A

6. The alterations can be changes to the individual building blocks of the DNA but more common are rearrangements where large DNA segments change place or direction, or are duplicated or completely lost. IDENTICAL TWINS REVEAL MECHANISMS BEHIND AGING ScienceDaily (Feb 2 / 2012) Part B In the present study the scientists examined normal blood cells from identical (monozygotic) twins in different age groups and looked for large or smaller DNA rearrangements. The results showed that large rearrangements were only present in the group older than 60 years.

7. IDENTICAL TWINS REVEAL MECHANISMS BEHIND AGING ScienceDaily (Feb 2 / 2012) Part C The most common rearrangement was that a DNA region, for instance a part of a chromosome, had been lost in some of the blood cells. Certain, almost identical, rearrangements were found in several individuals and some of these could be correlated with a known blood disease in which the bone marrow's capacity to produce new blood cells is disturbed. Rearrangements were also found in the younger age group. The changes were smaller and less complex but the researchers could also in this case show that the number of rearrangements correlated with age.

8. IDENTICAL TWINS REVEAL MECHANISMS BEHIND AGING ScienceDaily (Feb 2 / 2012) Part D The researchers believe that the increased number of cells with DNA alterations among elderly can have a role in the senescence of the immune system.

9. IDENTICAL TWINS REVEAL MECHANISMS BEHIND AGING ScienceDaily (Feb 2 / 2012) Personal Comment Actually I know that the genetic alterations lead to an increased growth of the cells with DNA alterations , these cells will increase in number in relation to other white blood cells. The consequence might an impaired immune system. For that, this investigation is really useful and interesting for medical students, because we can get a better idea of the DNA role in the senescence of the immune system.

10. Part A FAULTY PROTEINS MAY PROVE SIGNIFICANT IN IDENTIFYING NEW TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER ScienceDaily (Jan 13 / 2012)

11. Part B FAULTY PROTEINS MAY PROVE SIGNIFICANT IN IDENTIFYING NEW TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER ScienceDaily (Jan 13 / 2012) The investigation have prompted additional exploration into whether the patient population included in clinical trials for drugs that target the enzyme poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) should be expanded. Several forms of cancer are more dependent on PARP for their growth than regular cells, which means that targeting these enzymes when they go haywire is a potentially effective way to treat ovarian cancer. Currently PARP inhibitors are being tested with patients who have two types of malfunctioning proteins, BRCA1 or BRCA2. But, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute study of additional proteins, beyond BRCA proteins, suggests that they too are playing a role in driving ovarian cancer.

12. Part C FAULTY PROTEINS MAY PROVE SIGNIFICANT IN IDENTIFYING NEW TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER ScienceDaily (Jan 13 / 2012) Tapping into the potential of PARP inhibitors could change the dynamics of ovarian cancer treatment. There has not been a substantial increase in treatment options for ovarian cancer in the past two decades. The study of these additional defective proteins, added that the results provide evidence that further research into the role of multiple proteins is warranted.

13. Part D FAULTY PROTEINS MAY PROVE SIGNIFICANT IN IDENTIFYING NEW TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER ScienceDaily (Jan 13 / 2012) Several forms of cancer are more dependent on PARP for their growth than regular cells, which means that targeting these enzymes when they go haywire is a potentially effective way to treat ovarian cancer.

14. Personal Comment FAULTY PROTEINS MAY PROVE SIGNIFICANT IN IDENTIFYING NEW TREATMENTS FOR OVARIAN CANCER ScienceDaily (Jan 13 / 2012) This type of investigation may improve new treatments that look for health and life promotion, which make them interesting and important to preserve health and avoid cancer, because if we are able to identify proteins that differentiate these patients at risk for early recurrence, we could develop a better ovarian cancer treatment.

15. MEDICAL UTILITY Part A

16. Part B MEDICAL UTILITY

17. MEDICAL UTILITY Part C

18. Part D MEDICAL UTILITY

19. -Science Daily. Faulty Proteins May Prove Significant in Identifying New Treatments for Ovarian Cancer, Study Finds [internet].[S.C]: Science Daily; January 13th 2012[Access day: February 7th 2012]. Disposable in: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823130027.htm -Science Daily. Identical Twins Reveal Mechanisms Behind Aging, Study Finds [internet].[S.C]: Science Daily; February 2nd 2012[Access day: February 7th 2012]. Disposable in: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202151125.htm BIBLIOGRAPHY