Forgot Password

Sign In

Register

  • Company Information

  • Billing Address

  • Are you primarily interested in advertising *

  • Do you want to recieve the HealthTimes Newsletter?

  • Breast milk protein a clue in cancer fight

    Author: AAP

A breast milk protein that sustains life could become an important target for scientists working on anti-cancer drugs.

Research into how breast milk is produced could help in the search for a breast cancer cure.

Subscribe for FREE to the HealthTimes magazine



Melbourne scientists have discovered the protein MCL-1 is vital for keeping milk-producing cells alive and sustaining milk production in the breast.

Without milk, mammals cannot survive, making MCL-1 essential to their survival.

"The bottom line is that this is a really important survival protein in breast tissue," said Geoff Lindeman from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

FEATURED JOBS

Director of Nursing and Midwifery
SA Health, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
Enrolled Nurse with Diploma
Programmed Health Professionals
Paediatrics Consultant
Omega Medical Pty Ltd


"We've discovered that it's essentially the key protein that helps keep breast tissue alive during lactation."

Professor Lindeman said the research team found a growth factor known as EGF triggers the production of the MCL-1 protein.

"EGF and MCL-1 have been implicated in helping breast cancers grow.

"In the longer term, this work raises the question as to whether or not MCL-1 could be an important target for developing anti-cancer drugs."

The research team has spent the past 15 years investigating breast development in a bid to ultimately find a breast cancer treatment.

Comments

Thanks, you've subscribed!

Share this free subscription offer with your friends

Email to a Friend


  • Remaining Characters: 500