The Live Wire



Press Release

Blocking breast cancer growth

22 August 2011

Scientists have discovered how a molecule blocks a protein which causes breast cancer to develop and spread, according to research published in Nature Chemistry.

Researchers at the Cambridge Research Institute have revealed at the molecular level how thiostrepton – a naturally-occurring cancer-protector molecule – 'clamps' a cancer-causing protein called FOXM1, preventing it from working.

Dr Rachel Greig, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said: “This clever piece of work shows how laboratory research can throw up totally new ideas about how to treat cancer.

“The next step is for scientists to design a treatment which mimics the action of thiostrepton and blocks cancer cells, which could then be useful to stop the spread of breast cancer.

“This work may also open the door for other molecules to be investigated which could also have cancer-blocking potential.”

The work was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the University of Cambridge.



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd