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Protein stops blood vessel growth may fight tumour cancers

20 June 2004
by Richard Conan-Davies

A protein, called fibulin-5, that stops blood vessels from growing may help in the fight against certain kinds of tumour cancers.

According to Dr. William Schieman of the National Jewish Medical and Research Center . He explains in a press release that "We believe fibulin-5 shows real promise as a cancer therapy," he detailed further that "When we slightly altered the naturally occurring protein it was even more effective at inhibiting the sprouting of new blood vessels."

A difficulty with tumour cancers is that they can break away from one spot and drift into another. The cancer then causes blood vessels to grow around the new tumour. This new protein discovery suggests it may be possible to stop cancers from developing a blood supply and hence may cause tumours to die of starvation.

Related Links

National Jewish Medical and Research Centre press release

DNA and Cell Biology Journal


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