BALTIMORE, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have discovered a previously unsuspected mechanism of cell death that might lead to stronger, yet less-harmful, anti-cancer drugs.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers determined a cellular stress-response protein prevents cells from dying by interacting with a particular signaling protein and mediating its response to some conventional anti-cancer drugs.
"A major hang-up in cancer chemotherapy is the toxicity caused by DNA disruption of cell division throughout the body," said Dr. Solomon Snyder, a neuroscience professor. "Our research suggests that drugs like cisplatin and novobiocin kill cells as much from this newly discovered mechanism as any other mechanism of cell death.
"Targeting this new mechanism in drug design might make for therapies with fewer side effects," he added.
The research, funded by a U.S. Public Heath Service grant, appeared in last week's early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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