Scientists at Lund University are on a quest to resolve a classic
“if/then” situation involving a protein discovery that could lead to
new cancer treatment. Basically, if they can block a protein called
gamma-tubulin, then targeted cancer cells should die while healthy cells
survive.
One major problem with cancer treatment is that most chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy not
only have an effect on cancerous cells, but also damage healthy cells.
This cell damage results in side effects and complications that can
seriously impact a patient’s quality of life.
The Swedish investigators found that the retinoblastoma protein,
which interferes with cell division, is not present in most cancer
tumors. When this protein is absent, it leads to an increase in
gamma-tubulin, another protein which, at elevated levels, promotes the
development of cancer tumors.
That leaves the researchers with an if/then situation, and they are
already searching for substances that can stop the effect of
gamma-tubulin on cell division. If they find that substance, then it
could be the basis for a new cancer treatment that only kills tumor
cells and if targeted at the right place.
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