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Although it is possible to cure cancer by depriving cells of aldehyde dehydrogenase, more research is needed
Researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have taken a significant step forward with a new concept that could ultimately lead to more effective treatments.
Research so far has focused on identifying and targeting genes that directly cause cancer called ‘driver genes’. However, non-driver genes can also enlist other genes to assist them in helping cancer cells proliferate. These little-known additional genes are termed “onco-requisite factors” by the research group led by Associate Professor Takaomi Sanda of CSI Singapore. The researchers demonstrate, with a leukemia case study, why it is important to understand these genes.
In leukemia and other cancers, there is a gene that does not directly cause cancer but is abnormally active in cancer cells. It produces an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase enlists other enzymes to turbo-charge cancer cells with energy for growth and proliferation. Best of all, it also helps reduce wear and tear on these turbo cells by removing the toxic byproducts of power generation. Otherwise, the cancer cells would end up killing themselves.
Although it is possible to cure cancer by depriving cells of aldehyde dehydrogenase, more research is needed.
“Cancer is not a disease of an instrument, it is an orchestra. The performance depends not only on the soloist, but on every single instrument involved. This broadens our understanding of cancer and possible ways of disrupting its mechanisms, ”explained Assoc Prof Sanda, who is also from the NUS Department of Medicine.
The NUS researchers are now examining which stage of cancer involves aldehyde dehydrogenase, as this would determine whether it can be used to prevent cancer or to kill already formed cancer cells.
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