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Researchers identify cancer gene

16 Apr 2009

Pharmaceutical researchers at the University of Cincinnati have identified a gene thought to be linked to an increased susceptibility to lung cancer.

Carriers of the RGS17 gene with a family history of the disease could be predisposed to lung cancer development.

The findings were released yesterday (April 15th) in the journal Clinical Cancer Research and author Marshal Anderson explained the work could revolutionise the way cancer is dealt with.

"Understanding how the RGS17 gene impacts cancer development could change clinical diagnosis and treatment as radically as discovery of the breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) did," he asserted.

Mr Anderson added that a proven genetic test could help identify potential sufferers before the disease progresses.

The lung-affecting form of the ailment is the leading cause of cancer-related disease and death, according to the American Cancer Society.

Meanwhile, researchers in Hong Kong and the US claim to have discovered a compound that is capable of blocking the bird flu virus.