Cancer treatment could soon
focus on stopping a secondary cellular process that allows cancer cells to
survive.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and Harvard School found that if they
inhibited a biological process known as SUMOylation then the tumour cells
hyperactivity would kill it.
The team explained that the Myc gene can mutate, causing the metabolism in a
cell to change and it is thought that the gene is responsible for up to 40 per
cent of all cancer cases.
For years, research has focused on controlling the gene, but it proved
difficult as SUMOylation kept the tumour alive, stated the researchers.
"It will be exciting if this approach can be developed into a way to treat
people whose cancers are driven by hyperactive Myc genes," said Victoria
Cowling, a Cancer Research UK scientist.
She believes that if developed, this treatment could be extremely potent.
According to Cancer Research UK, Myc is a gene which is fundamental to mitosis
and when it is damaged cells constantly divide.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 13 December 2011
