Date: December 6, 2016

As a result of a study that it has been carried out in the University of Liverpool, scientists reported that presence of a specific protein called P63 may result in trigger of programmed cell death or apoptosis in eye uvea cancerous cells.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is considered as a rare but most common primary cancer in eye. This kind of cancer can be treated efficiently but due to its capability in metastasis, it can spread out into other organs and make the process of treatment complicated.

Based on an article published in the British journal of cancer, Dr. Luminita Paraoan addressed that a specific protein called P63 is required in order to trigger the process of apoptosis in UM cancerous cells.

Genes that are responsible of encoding this protein stands on both copies of human chromosome number 3 and absence of this gene can cause aggressive UM. Surprisingly, Dr. Paraoan discovered that the process of apoptosis can be started, if the P63 gene is used in combination with well-known tumor suppressor P53 gene.

"Our findings have broad-ranging implications for other cancers in which apoptosis is evaded or is problematic. They will hopefully prove advantageous in designing therapeutic approaches to cancerous tumors that are currently resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy." Says Dr. Paraoan.

Ref: Sciencedaily