Study: Cancer Cure Possible By Killing Tumor-Spreading Genes

Scientists discovered 23 new genes having an active role in helping the cancerous tumors to spread in the body. By targeting these genes, it will be possible to halt the spread of cancer.

Around 90 percent of cancer patients die due to the spread of cancerous tumors in the body which is called metastasis. More information about the process of metastasis can lead to reduced deaths caused by cancer. Hopeful progress is expected in this regard after the latest studies.

The research was conducted by using genetically modified mice. Scientists at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute were able to find 23 new genes that work in spreading the cancerous tumor in the body. But more studies and researches are needed to know how the process of metastasis works and how it is possible to successfully stop the spread of cancerous tumors, reports Nature.

The newly discovered genes have the ability to change the immune system and disabling the body to fight infections. By focusing on these genes the study was able to pin point their role in decreasing or increasing the cancerous tumors spreading process or metastasis.

One of these 23 genes is Spn2. The effect of this gene is active in breast, lungs, and colon cancer. The removal of Spn2 showed a clear reduction of metastasis process of cancer. Approximately 75 percent cancer was reduced by the removal of Spn2.

According to Cancer, the top best cancer therapies successfully used these days are drugs, chemotherapy or therapies that block the growth of specific molecules of cancer. These therapies are called "precision medicines" or "molecularly targeted therapies."

The new study revealed genes will also be targeted through the same sort of therapy. But, only after more researches are conducted to make the gene removing therapy more accurate and efficient.