Enzyme 'can kill cancer gene'
Cancer is expected to become the biggest killer in the world in 2010, but experts in the UK believe that they may have found a solution in the form of an enzyme which can 'clean' cancer cells.
Specialists at the University of Manchester's Faculty of Life Science said that the enzyme, known as protease HtrA2, can rid cells of the gene oncogene WT1, which plays a role in the development of many cancers including those of the breast, lung and leukemia.
The research was led by Dr Joerg Hartkamp and Dr Stefan Roberts, who claim the study may now enable healthcare experts to develop treatments for a range of cancers which have elevated levels of WT1.
Dr Hartkamp, a resident at the facility, explained: "The cancer-causing role of WT1 has been known for many years, but how it worked was not understood so we studied a regulatory domain of WT1 to see what modified its activity."
He added that the experts conducted a 'fishing' experiment which resulted in them accidentally identifying the role which HtrA2 can play in ridding cells of the cancer-causing gene.
According to the specialist, the team has "filled in the black box" of WT1, which could enable the formulation of new therapies which can target the gene.
Dr Roberst, who initiated the work at Manchester and is now at the University at Buffalo in the US, added that the implications are certainly significant for the 7,000 people who are diagnosed with leukemia each year in the UK, but patients with other cancers may also be helped.
Posted by Louise Jones
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