Beijing: Chinese scientists have identified a protein that causes the proliferation of liver cancer cells, which could assist in the development of a new cancer drug.
Tuesday, 5 Mar 2019
By studying proteins of patients with early-stage liver cancer, researchers found that the activity of one protein, identified as SOAT1, can affect cholesterol stability in cancer cells – which triggers them to proliferate and migrate.
The study also found that avasimibe, an inhibitor of SOAT1, shows potential as a targeted therapeutic drug.
The paper, co-authored by scientists from the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, and Beijing Cancer Hospital, was recently published in Nature.
Fan Jia, dean of Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University, said doctors often found from clinical practice that even a very small tumour can recur and deteriorate quickly after being removed.
They suspected it might have nothing to do with the size of the tumour, and instead be related to its biological behaviour.
“It is of great value for future drug research, and helps explain the biological features of liver cancer so that more effective treatment can be selected,” he said. — China Daily/Asia News Network
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2019/03/05/protein-inhibitor-may-help-in-liver-cancer-fight/
