Protein may Hold key to Stop Cancer

Nov. 4, 2002 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Carol Otey, Ph.D., and colleagues from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill are studying the relationship between metastatic cancer cells and the amount of a protein called paladin found in them. If there is a relationship, palladin may be used in the future to stop the spread of cancer cells.

Otey was part of a team that discovered palladin three years ago. The protein is involved in actin assembly, which gives cells their shape. Researchers found palladin levels increase when cells move. In order to move, cells have to change shape. For example, when you cut yourself, cells on either side of the wound move in to help heal the injury. In the process, the cells' shapes are changing and there is an increase in palladin. Otey has cloned palladin, and can now add it to a cell or block its production, thereby inhibiting or promoting cell movement.

Otey and her team are now studying five primary cancer tumors taken from a tumor bank. Since the tumors have been stored for years, researchers will be able to study whether the amount of palladin in a tumor is linked to advanced disease. If there are high levels of palladin in tumors that have led to advanced cancer, Otey could then inhibit palladin to determine if it will stop the spread.

Otey says, because the study involves matter that is already available, the outcome of the study will be faster and easier to determine. In an interview with Ivanhoe, she said, "If we can find a way to inhibit cells from moving, this could potentially be a cure for cancer."

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Health Correspondent Shanida Smith's interview with Carol Otey, Ph.D., Nov. 1, 2002