Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, in Sweden has divcovered a new cancer gene. The gene causes an insidious form of glandular cancer usually in the head and neck and in women also in the breast. This is a slow-growning cancer, but deadly. In the researach they found that this gene can be found in 100% of all tumours. This means that a genetics test can be used to correct the diagnosis.
The newly discovered cancer gene is what is known as a fusion gene, created when two healthy genes join together as a result of a chromosome change. Before this researchers thought that they fusion gene was only really caused leukaemia. They found that this gene is most common in glandular.
One of the two genes that form the fusion gene is known as MYB. This gene controls cell growth and makes sure that the body gets rid of cells that are no longer needed. It has long been known to be a highly potent cancer gene in animals, but for a long time there was no evidence of the gene being involved in the development of tumours in humans.
No comments:
Post a Comment