Israeli researchers say they have found a way to curb growth of cancer cells
Scientists at Ben-Gurion University develop a molecule that inhibits the development of a protein active in many tumors.
A group of researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has developed a new molecule that they claim inhibits the growth of cancer cells and also reprograms them to become non-cancerous.
The new treatment is based on inhibiting the production of a protein, voltage-gated anion channel 1 (VDAC1), whose very high levels are found in many solid and non-solid tumors.
The research was led by Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz of the Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute of Biotechnology of the Negev Ltd. (NIBN), both part of BGU.
The VDAC1 protein regulates mitochondria, which control cellular metabolism. Cancer cells are known to have a very active metabolism.
Prof. Varda Shoshan-Barmatz of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Courtesy)
“Cancer cells have 100 times more VDAC1 than normal cells,” Shoshan-Barmatz said in a telephone interview. “So we set out to prevent and reduce its formation.”