HEADLINES:
R/€ Pregnancy molecule may prevent breast cancer
November 26, 2009 Edition 1
LONDON: A chemical produced naturally in women's bodies during pregnancy offers hope as a powerful breast cancer drug, scientists say.
Alph-fetoprotein (AFP) seems to halt the growth of existing tumours and prevent new ones from appearing, a study found.
Although experts stress the findings need to be repeated in human tests, they believe the molecule could eventually be converted into a breast-cancer drug.
AFP is produced by the body in response to pregnancy hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone, which are known to fuel the growth of some tumours.
"Hormones in pregnancy, such as oestrogen, all induce AFP, which directly inhibits the growth of breast cancer," said lead researcher, Dr Herbert Jacobson.
"The body has a natural defence system against breast cancer.
"AFP needs to be safely harnessed and developed into a drug that can be used to protect women from breast cancer."
Each year more than 45 500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK and about 12 000 die from it.
The researchers from Albany Medical College, New York, carried out the tests on lab rats which were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.
They were given pregnancy hormones such as oestrogen, oestrogen and progesterone, or human chorionic gonadotropin. The levels of AFP in their bodies shot up.
This appeared to delay the creation of tumours or prevent them altogether in about half the rats.
Jacobson and his colleagues have isolated a fragment of the AFP molecule and are trying to develop it into a drug.
It will be about 10 years before a treatment is available for patients. - Daily Mail
© 1999 - 2010 Star & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.