Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Gene that suppresses multiple cancers

Gene Found That Suppresses Human Tumor Growth In Multiple Cancers ScienceDaily 8/15/07 "BC Cancer Agency scientists, led by Dr. Poul Sorensen, have discovered a novel gene that suppresses the growth of human tumours in multiple cancers, including breast, lung, and liver cancers, as well as melanomas, lymphomas and sarcomas...a gene, HACE1, has the ability to help cells deal with various forms of stress, including environmental cancer triggers that cause tumour formation. When the HACE1 gene is missing or inactive, cancerous cells are able to form tumours, and when the gene is re-expressed, it prevents these cells from forming tumours...“If we can learn how to reactivate HACE1 or block cancer cells from inactivating this gene, it may be possible to improve treatments for many cancer patients"...“We’ve always suspected that cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors working together,” says Dr. Sorensen. “Our results give us insight into how the disease takes root when a single gene is inactivated”..."

This is one of the most promising avenues of cancer research I've seen in the last few years. Lets hope that it isn't too hard to reactivate HACE1 and that there are few side effects of doing so. I'd also love to know the reasons why HACE1 gene becomes inactive in the first place.

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