Research team finds novel approach for suppressing prostate cancer development
November 25th, 2008 Posted in prostate cancer, prostate cancer preventionA research team at the University of Southern California suggests that inactivating a specific biomarker for aggressive prostate cancer blocks the development of prostate cancer in animal models.
The glucose-regulated protein GRP78 has been identified as a crucial entity in the development of prostate cancer by promoting cancer cell proliferation, mediating oncogenic signaling and protecting cancer cells against cell death resulting from the stress of tumor development.
The USC researchers found that, by suppressing GRP78 expression or activity, they could block prostate cancer activation and development resulting from the loss of PTEN, a powerful tumor suppressor gene for a number of human cancers.
Researchers hope that the upcoming study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences may lead to a novel cancer therapy for human males.