Discovered proteins help fight breast cancer

Breast cancer cells release a protective protein, capable of inhibiting tumor growth, according to a new study. This discovery may help develop drugs or diets to increase the production of these "good" proteins.

According to a new study by British scientists, an enzyme (a protein-based biological catalyst) called matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) stimulates the immune system to fight cancer. breast letter.

Professor Dylan Edwards, a biologist at the University of East Anglia, said: "MMP is an enzyme family released by cancer cells. They have been thought to act as" stool scissors ". "cut off material structures outside the cell and cleared the way for cancer cells to invade and spread to other organs.

MMP-8 enzyme produced by breast cancer cells has the ability to inhibit tumor growth. (Artwork: Corbis)

Drugs that attack this large enzyme family have been tested against cancer in the 1990s but have almost failed. That makes us think that not all enzymes of this family are bad elements, which facilitate the growth and spread of cancer. "

Edwards explained that the problem with previous drugs was that they destroyed both "good elements" and "bad elements". Pharmaceutical companies are currently studying to produce more selective 2nd and 3rd generation drugs. Another prospect is the development of drugs or foods that enhance the MMP enzyme family.

"There are many interesting areas to explore, including screening for breast cancer patients to learn about the number of MMP enzymes produced by their tumors , " Edwards said.

A study published five years ago revealed the first MMP-8 enzyme inhibited the growth of tumors. Patients with breast cancer if they have more of these enzymes will have better disease status.

Dr. Sally Thirkettle, PhD, under the guidance of Professor Edwards and colleagues conducted a detailed examination of MMP enzymes in breast cancer tumors. Ms. Thirkettle has demonstrated that, if it causes cancer cells to produce MMP-8, this enzyme will cause them to produce two other inflammatory factors that have been found to encourage cancer. However, breast tumor cells that produce too much MMP-8 cannot survive long-term because this enzyme prevents them from developing.

The researchers found that MMP-8 acts as a kind of signal to help the immune system, then is activated by the immune system to attack the tumor. This may help explain the protective function of MMP-8.