Gene-Based Treatment for Skin Cancer May Make Its Way Into Skin Creams Within Five Years
Developing squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin via MedicalXpress Good news for the countless people across the globe suffering from some kind of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which includes a large proportion of those dealing with skin cancer. Australian researchers have discovered the "stop signal" gene for SCC that is absent in virtually every SCC tumor they looked at. Without it, cells replicate uncontrolled causing a tumor, but knowing what gene is missing gives researchers the means to develop new strategies to treat and prevent this common form of cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most prevalent form of skin cancer, and 700,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. alone every year. Yet up until now, SCC's genetic underpinnings were somewhat mystifying to medical researchers. Scientists couldn't figure out why, at some point, some skin cells begin multiplying in an uncontrolled manner, eventually resulting in cancer. The answer apparently was hiding...