Researchers at London's Brunel University think so. In February, they announced the discovery of two new genes that dramatically halt the growth of malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It is hoped that by unlocking the secrets of how these genes work, scientists will be able to develop new ways to treat this deadly disease.
Cancer is a disease that causes cells to multiply uncontrollably.
Scientists have known for some time about the ability of TSGs to stop healthy cells from becoming cancerous. In laboratory tests at Brunel, scientists transferred groups of healthy genes directly into melanoma cancer cells, and discovered another two TSGs that dramatically stop the malignant growth of the cells. We now know that by placing these genes into the cancer cell they stop malignant melanoma in its tracks. This is really just the beginning, because at this stage we have no idea how the new genes work. By finding out more about their function it may eventually lead to new ways of treating malignant melanoma.