Lung cancer treatment could be aided by the identification of a molecule which may be behind the
spread of the tumours.
Scientists at Mayo Clinic in the US, found that matrix metaloproteinase
(MMP-10) has to be present for the growth of new cancer stem cells – which are
often resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The team found that by inhibiting this enzyme they could stop tumours
spreading.
Commenting on the report, Dr Gillian Murphy for the Cambridge Research
Institute said: "This is the first indication that [the molecules] don't
just control processes in the tissues surrounding a tumour, but actually might
control cancer cell behaviour."
She added that the next step will be to ascertain exactly what role MMP
plays in tumour regulation.
According to Cancer Research UK, lung cancer is
one of the most difficult forms of the disease to treat due to its propensity
to spread and is responsible for around one in five cancer-related deaths.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 7 May 2012
