Earlier cancer detection possible with new process

By Kim Tong-hyung

Staff reporter

South Korean researchers have suggested a promising new strategy that could allow earlier detection of cancer and contribute to its suppression.

In a recent study published by the peer-review journal, Molecular Cell, Seoul National University's Baek Sung-hee and her colleagues claimed that the "methlyation" process of the reptin protein in cellular could successfully choke off growing cancer cells, while also making it easier to identify cells components and distinguish cancerous ones.

Methlyation refers to the attachment of chemical tags called methyl groups (-CH3) to particular genes to switch them on or off, a method used for shutting down unwanted genes in a cell.

According to Baek, the methlyation of reptin effectively suppresses a protein called hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which stimulates cells to grow new blood vessels to feed and enlarge tumors.

The additional blood supplies offer a fresh source of oxygen and nutrients to the tumor cells while providing a direct route to other organs, she said.

"Smaller cancer cells obviously mean more effective chemotherapies. Cutting off the blood supply is crucial for suppressing the growth of cancer cells and preventing them from spreading, and our technique yields inspiring results in tests on laboratory mice," Baek said.

"The discovery could open new possibilities in developing more effective treatments and developing new drugs."

Reptin also appears to be effective as a "marker" to enable easier and quicker detection of cancer cells, which allows doctors to starve them before they become too big to be stopped. Reptin levels can jump up to 10-fold from their normal levels when cancer starts to develop in cells, Baek said.