A novel way of killing cancer cells

Cancer cells is a cell that divides and reproduces abnormally with uncontrolled growth. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. In cancer cells the normal control systems that prevent cell overgrowth and the invasion of other tissues are disabled. They have a much higher demand for nutrients and oxygen than a normal cell.

Till date several treatments are available for treatment of cancer - surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic or targeted therapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause damage to healthy cells and other treatments are usually only effective for individual types of cancer. But researchers from University of Southampton  in collaboration with colleagues at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre have discovered a novel method to kill cancer cells, which leaves the body's healthy cells undamaged.

They have discovered a cellular component, eEF2K, plays a critical role in allowing cancer cells to survive nutrient starvation, whilst normal, healthy cells do not usually require eEF2K in order to survive. They report that by blocking the function of eEF2K, cancer cells can be killed, without harming normal, healthy cells in the process.

eEF2K gene encodes a highly conserved protein kinase in the calmodulin-mediated signaling pathway that links activation of cell surface receptors to cell division. This kinase is involved in the regulation of protein synthesis. It phosphorylates eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (EEF2) and thus inhibits the EEF2 function.

They are now working with other labs, including pharmaceutical companies, to develop and test drugs that block eEF2K, which could potentially be used to treat cancer in the future.

Professor Proud is also researching the origins of cancer. He says that protein synthesis -- the creation of proteins within cells -is a fundamental process that enables cells to grow, divide and function. If it goes wrong, it can contribute to the development of cancer. They are interested in how defects in this process can cause cancers and other diseases.

The research is published in journal cell.