The key in combating certain types of cancer is probably in the cessation of cell proliferation. Cell proliferation is a process of newly formed cells in the body by division. Researchers try to influence B-cell lymphoma using a similar mechanism.
They reactivate gene that controls the natural process of aging of the cells, and thus prevent their replication. Researchers believe that the discovery could lead to the development of a new medicament for the treatment of tumor diseases.
Scientists say they have discovered a new role of a protein called Smurf2, which is to suppress tumors. It assists in the process of aging of the cells of the subclass of diffuse B-cell lymphoma.
The authors of the study explained that the recovery of Smurf2 expression on the body can bring benefits for the treatment of patients and help treatment in severe cases. This is possible, since it regulates the process of aging of the cells, and stops cell division and proliferation of B-cells.
In people suffering from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, however, protein Smurf2 is less pronounced.
Diffuse B-cell lymphoma is the most common form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, - the group of cancers that begin from the lymph nodes and lymphoid system. Scientists believe that if they could develop a drug that increases the expression of Smurf2 protein in tumor cells, medicine can achieve a more effective treatment of the disease.