Researchers Say Enzyme May Hold Key to Targeting Cancer Cells
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Photokanok/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Researchers say they may have discovered a way to target cancer cells to more effectively treat leukemia.
In a study published in the journal Cell, researchers at Harvard University found that cancer cells are particularly dependent on one particular enzyme to survive. In laboratory mice who were genetically altered to avoid the presence of that enzyme in their systems, cancer cells failed to grow.
Researchers say that the elimination of the enzyme did not impact normal cells, as they were able to utilize a different enzyme for energy.
The study remains in the very preliminary phase, as testing has only been conducted on mice. Still, researchers believe that it may help them by pointing out that the way that cells metabolize energy could help in targeting cancer.
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