New Zealand researchers say they may have discovered a route for drugs to be more effective against genetic stomach and lobular breast cancers in their early stages.
The team of scientists at the University of Otago identified a genetic mutation behind the two diseases, particularly the gastric one that has no known cure other than surgery. The breast cancer type also is difficult to diagnose, they said in a published study.
Their findings suggest a drug could target the E-cadherin protein usually considered a suppressor of tumors. The study said a gene mutation is found to eliminate the protein altogether, making cells more vulnerable to the ravages of cancer.
- here's the Otago release