May 22, 2009 11:13 am
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — University of Oklahoma Cancer Institute researchers say they've discovered how stem cell proteins work in the growth of cancer.
Researchers Courtney Houchen and Shrikant Anant also caution that it likely will take years and much more study before any potential cancer treatments might develop from the discovery.
Houchen and Anant discussed their research during a news conference yesterday.
Researchers have studied stem cell proteins for years, but Houchen and Anant say they not only found a new cancer protein, but discovered how the protein works to turn off a natural tumor suppressor and turn on a cancer-causing gene.
The results of their research will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Gastroenterology.
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