Toxic genes ‘assassinate’ cancer cells
SCIENTISTS have developed a “super assassin” cancer treatment based on the protein that triggers Huntington’s disease.
In lab experiments, the drug killed ovarian, breast, prostate, liver, brain, lung, skin and colon cancer cells from humans and mice.
Researchers said it was the most powerful cancer treatment ever seen.
Huntington’s patients have up to 80% less cancer than the normal population as the gene behind the disease is toxic to tumours.
US scientists aim to use this toxicity to kill cancer cells without leaving patients with the nerve and brain damage associated with Huntington’s.
Marcus Peter, of Northwestern University in Chicago, said “This molecule is a super assassin.”