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Cancer Personal Statement

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Submitted By aarsha88
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“The fact that death from cancer is on the increase is not only a problem of medicine, but it at the same time testifies to the wonderful efficiency of medical science... [As it] enables more persons to live long enough to develop some kind of cancer in old and less resistant tissue.” * Charles Mayo M.D
The complexity of the human body right down to the cells and their intricate regulatory systems has always fascinated me. Severe and life threatening diseases can be a result of the environment, as well as a malfunction in the body’s own regulatory process. Cancer is the leading killer; there are more than 200 types of cancer, each with different causes, symptoms and treatments. Although cancer can develop at any time, it is most common in older people. As the population ages and lifespan increases the incidence of cancer will also rise. As a result the development of successful therapies in cancer prevention or cure is a major priority in developed countries.
Studying Biochemistry as an undergraduate at The University of Nottingham introduced me to the fundamental aspects of cell biology, genetics and cellular control, as well as essential chemistry covering molecular structure and bonding and reactivity. Over the course of the three years I was able to learn about the significance of regulatory processes in metabolic pathways, and covered macromolecular structural analysis and function, as well as gene structure and function in greater depth. In our final year we were introduced to pathology of diseases, and the use of biochemistry in research, diagnosis and treatment.
Although the topic of cancer had been briefly exemplified in previous years, the Advanced Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry of Cancer modules provided me with more in depth knowledge on key topics. Advanced Biochemistry of cancer focused on the nature and function of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in normal and cancer cells, transformation of a normal cell to a cancer cell, and its progression to tumour formation and metastasis. The module also touched on the role of stem cells in cancer formation and possible therapeutic interventions, as well as present day cancer chemotherapy including drug action. It was this part of the module that I took a keen interest to, doing extra reading on Methotrexate, Fluorouracil and Cyclophosphamide’s mode of action. It was interesting to learn how each drug bought about a similar result, but they’re mode of action varied.
Methotrexate competitively inhibits dihydrofolate (DHFR), an enzyme needed for tetrahydrofolate synthesis. Folate is required for the de novo synthesis of the nucleoside thymidine and purine base synthesis. As a result it inhibits the synthesis of DNA, RNA, thymidylates and proteins, making it cytotoxic during the S-phase of the cell cycle. However Cyclophosphamide’s action requires its metabolite phosphoramide mustard to be formed. The metabolite is only formed in cells that have low levels of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Its mode of action involves forming DNA crosslink’s between (inter) and within (intra) DNA strands at Guanine N-7 positions. This cross linkage is irreversible and leads to cell death. Just a comparison of these two drugs shows how although the origin and type of cancer may vary, but the process of cancer formation and progression is ultimately uniform, and again signifies the need for a constant search of new cancer therapies.
The module Advanced biochemistry introduced the biochemistry involved in the transformation of a normal cell to a cancer cell, focussing on the changes taking place at a molecular level i.e. regulatory pathways involved, and the role oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes play in disturbing/regulating these pathways. The module also introduced the action of both chemical and physical carcinogens. Again I was interested in learning how different things can cause cancer in different ways, yet the actual progression of the disease is a uniform process, which is ultimately loss of growth control, ultimately leading to tumour formation and metastasis. Again the preventative measures and treatments for both physical and chemical carcinogenesis vary.
Physical carcinogens could be either DNA or RNA tumour viruses that either carries oncogenes into the host cell, or activates cellular proto-oncogenes. An example of a DNA Tumour virus is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPv) known to cause cervical cancer. Presently there are two vaccines available to prevent infection by some of the HPV types, including type 16 and 18, known to cause most cancer cases, but they are not beneficial to those who have already contracted the virus.
Chemical carcinogenesis involves damage to DNA. The two examples we studied were Benzo(a)pyrene, a polycyclic hydrocarbon with highly mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites and sunlight which causes DNA damage either directly or indirectly, via the absorption of either a Uv-b photon or a more dangerous Uv-a photon. Furthermore DNA damage caused by sunlight could also trigger another type of cancer, which is the result of a genetic disorder of DNA repair known as Xeroderma Pigmentosum, where damage caused by Uv light ulitimately leads to skin cancer as the ability to repair the damage via Nucleotide Excision pathway is deficient.
I have chosen to apply for a place to study Msc Cancer therapeutics at The Barts Cancer Institute due to its excellent reputation in cancer research. The institute also offers prospective students flexibility, whilst still providing efficient support with the option of distant learning, which is beneficial students like myself who want to work whilst studying. The field of study and research surrounding cancer is continuously developing and progressing, new discoveries are always arising in preventative methods as well as therapeutic ones, and there is still so much more to discover within this subject area. It is for these reasons I feel drawn to this field of research. The cancer therapeutics course particularly appeals to me as it offers a good mix of modules which I feel would build on my existing knowledge. Moreover I am particularly interested in the pharmacology, drug development and site specific tumour treatment modules, as these modules will give me a better insight into the pharmaceutical side of cancer research.
My undergraduate degree in Biochemistry has provided me with thorough training in my field, where I have acquired very valuable skills; intellectual, practical and transferable. My degree programme was very varied and covered many areas of modern biochemistry including key modules in chemistry which allowed me to further develop my problem solving and analytical skills. My final year research project required me to conduct a literature review of the current understanding and future outlook surrounding The Biosynthesis and mode of action of Lathionine-containing peptide antibiotics. My work allowed me to demonstrate and develop skills in information seeking and critical appraisal. My project further fuelled my interest in therapeutics, as I became familiar with the different theories, experiments and findings aimed towards the quest for novel, clinically more efficient antibiotics for the therapy of resistant bacterial infections, based on biochemical knowledge of the molecular structure and function of the lantibiotics. My Practical Laboratory sessions have also equipped me with a number of techniques, such as performing calculations, handling biochemical equipment, subcellular localisation techniques, manipulation of genetic material using recombinant DNA technology, as well as writing scientific reports and the use of DNA libraries.
Working as a pharmaceutical technician for an extremely busy, Herbert & Shrive LTD has enabled me to become more organised, and prioritise my work load in order to meet deadlines and complete a number of tasks allocated to me efficiently and accurately. At the moment I am also training the Pre-reg pharmacy student within the dispensary, helping her learn the generic alternatives for branded medication, check prescriptions accurately and how to dispense medication. At work I constantly take initiative in learning about the different medications I come across and their uses by reading the BNF or browsing the chemist & Druggist online, as well as regularly reading journals to stay up to date with current news within the biomedical field as well medical field. Although I enjoy working within a community healthcare setting, after completing my Msc course I would like to pursue further research in the field of cancer pharmacology.

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