New gene target for cancer - the ras gene
According to Cancer Research UK, US scientists have an exciting new target for anti-cancer drugs.
The ‘ras’ gene aids normal cell growth, but when it gets “mutated”, it can contribute to cell over-production and in the end tumour growth.
Dr Christopher Counter, the associate professor of cancer biology and pharmacology at Duke University Medical Centre, stated:
Since it has been so difficult to target the ras gene itself with drugs, we tried to determine if something that ras activates could be a possible target for a drug or therapy.
We found a specific target that could be susceptible to drugs, and if these findings are proven true in human trials, we could have a new way of treating ras-dependent cancers.
Visit the cancer research website for more information:
Cancer Research UK article on the ras gene
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