The project leader, Dr Richard Morgan, explains ‘HOX genes are important in determining the identity of cells and tissues in the early embryo, but they are also expressed by cancer cells. HXR9 blocks HOX activity thereby killing cancer cells in a highly specific manner’. HXR9 shows particular promise in treating malignant melanoma together with lung, prostate and kidney cancer.
The results appear this week in the prestigious ‘Cancer Research’ Journal. Work on HXR9 was started by Dr Morgan whilst he was a senior lecturer at St. George’s, University of London, and the University of Surrey has recently agreed a licensing deal to allow Dr Morgan to continue with the work at the PGMS.
Further work by the PGMS group has shown that embryonic genes expressed in cancer cells could also be important diagnostic markers. A number of embryonic proteins are secreted by prostate tumours and can be detected in blood serum, thereby providing a potential method for detecting prostate cancer and ultimately even assessing the extent of the disease without an invasive procedure.
These findings have now been patented by the University of Surrey. Dr Morgan and his colleagues would like to acknowledge the support of both the University and the Prostate Project charity.
Stuart Miller | Source: alphagalileo
Further information: www.surrey.ac.uk
More articles from
Life Sciences:
Scientists Identify Critical Protein Complex in Formation of Cell Cilia
21.08.2008 | New York University Langone Medical Center
Turning Up the Heat on Tomatoes Boosts Absorption of Lycopene
21.08.2008 | Ohio State University
Cornell to Show Off its 100-mpg Car-in-progress at New York State Fair
21.08.2008 | Automotive Engineering
What We Don't Know About Liquefaction Could Hurt Us
21.08.2008 | Earth Sciences
Getting to the Root of the Matter
21.08.2008 | Ecology, The Environment and Conservation