Biotech Updates

Stop Signal Discovered for Skin Cancer

November 18, 2011

A team of experts from different scientific institutions has discovered a gene that helps protect the body from squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin. According to Monash University professor and leader of the research team Stephen Jane, they have discovered the gene when they were studying skin cancer. They observed that the gene which has an important role in the development of the skin in the fetus, is absent in adult SCC tumour cells. This absence knocks out the signal to stop skin cells from growing. Without this stop signal, the cells continue to multiply and eventually develop into a cancer. Thus, this discovery provides a clear direction for forming techniques for prevention and treatment in the relatively near future.

Read the complete story at http://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/stop-signal-discovered-for-skin-cancer.