The discovery of a rogue gene by a group of British scientists from the University of East Anglia may lead to the prevention of the spread of cancer cells in the body. Blocking the gene through the use of the right medication could prevent the growth of many forms of cancer including breast, brain, colon, and skin cancers.

The newly identified rogue gene is an enzymic bonding agent present inside cancer cells that attacks and breaks down a naturally occurring protein in the body that normally functions to prevent cancer cells from spreading. Blockage of the gene, known as WWP2, would allow for the presence of higher levels of the protein that makes cancer cells dormant.


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This is excellent news! My wife has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer for six years now - four lots of chemotherapy and three rounds of radiotherapy later, and we're almost beyond hope of containing it - it's news like this that keeps our hopes up. Thanks, Sid for bringing this to our attention.

Cancer is actually the major reason why I run BOINC - for the medical stuff. Maybe things like the Biochemical Library and DrugDiscovery will help us find something to stop the spread of cancer, if not find a cure!