Protein discovery may help treat cancer

Ottawa, March 21 (Xinhua) Canadian researchers have found a key protein to treat metastatic breast and ovarian cancers, making 'smart' therapies possible for these diseases.

A protein called podocalyxin, which hides on the surface of tumour cells, may be an accurate predictor of metastatic cancer, researchers from University of British Columbia (UBC) said.

Metastatic cancer is invasive cancer that spreads from the original site to other sites in the body.

'Since it lies on the surface of cells we can target the antibodies to, or find a way to prevent its action,' said Dr. Kelly McNagny, a stem cell expert with the UBC Biomedical Research Centre.

McNagny said the finding is a 'small but important step' to develop so-called 'smart' molecules in blocking the protein's function.

The researchers said information from this discovery might speed up the development of new therapies within 10 years.

'The ultimate goal is to generate new targeted, non-toxic treatments, different from the standard slash and burn chemotherapy,' said Calvin Roskelley, an associate professor of cellular and physiological science.

The Public Library of Science has published the findings online.

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that approximately 2,300 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed and about 1,600 women died of the disease last year.