Gene plays key role in slowing melanoma growth
According to background information provided in the press release announcing the study, melanoma is one of the least common forms of skin cancer yet causes 75% of skin cancer deaths.
In the study led by Victor Tron, MD, head of pathology and molecular medicine at Queen's University, researchers focused on MicroRNA 193b (miR-193b), a little-known gene found in DNA, discovered to be deficient in melanoma tumors. Through lab experiments with tissue samples, researchers reported that miR-193b played a role in the melanoma process.
Results of the experiments revealed that adding miR-193b to melanoma cells led to lower levels of the protein cyclin D1 and decreased melanoma cell growth. “Our experiment was a bit of a fishing expedition in the beginning. We thought 193b might be important but the fact we got such a tremendous reaction – the melanoma really slowed down when we added 193b – was really startling,” said Dr. Tron. “This is the first step in a long road towards finding a melanoma cure.”