New study finds molecules with anti-lymphoma potential

A new US study has isolated a pair of molecules which may offer significant potential in combating lymphoma in future.

The University of Southern California have identified two peptides, derived from a cancer-causing virus, which can elevate the levels of the protein p53 within tumour cells, leading to cell death.

Early studies using mice has shown that injections of these peptides was associated with marked regression in lymphoma tumours, with no significant loss of weight or gross abnormalities.

If successfully developed among humans, this could lead to the creation of new cancer therapies that are significantly more effective than those currently on the market.

Research is now underway to create small molecules that mimic these peptides, as well as trials to evaluate their efficacy against other cancer types.

This week, the University of Nottingham also published a study showing that cancer cells containing faulty BRCA genes could be treated using a key DNA damage repair enzyme.