Small molecular bodyguards kill HPV-infected cancer cells by protecting tumor-suppressor
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 15:21
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have discovered small molecules that kill cancer cells caused by infection with human papillomavirus. Their results, in both cell and mouse models, demonstrate that the small molecule inhibitors protect a tumor-suppressing protein targeted by viral proteins, thus killing the infected tumor cells. The researchers believe that, with further testing and refinement, their inhibitors could provide a therapeutic for HPV-caused tumors, such as those seen in cervical cancer.