Canadian researcher makes skin cancer discovery

Laura Stone, Canwest News Service 

Canadian researcher makes skin cancer discovery

A researcher at work in a medical laboratory in a file photo. Tron discovered that melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer which causes 75 per cent of skin cancer deaths, can be slowed when a little known gene called MicroRNA 193b is added to melanoma cells.

Ian Waldie / Getty Images


OTTAWA — A team of Canadian researchers have discovered a way to slow the spread of melanoma cells, a finding that could offer hope for those who suffer from one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer.

"It's important research," said Dr. Victor Tron, head of pathology and molecular medicine at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., where the study took place.

The group of nine researchers learned over the course of three years of experiments that melanoma, a rare skin cancer that causes 75 per cent of skin cancer deaths, can be slowed when a little known gene called MicroRNA 193b is added to the cells.

In theory, the findings will help doctors provide gene therapy for people with cancer, which could slow down the spread of melanoma and make patients more receptive to chemotherapy or other drugs.

"It may even stop melanoma all together," said Tron, who has been treating people with skin cancer for more than 25 years.

The findings, published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Pathology, were the result of a trial-and-error process that began with the understanding that 193b was an important gene.

What scientists discovered was the gene, present in benign human cells, is noticeably absent from malignant ones. When added to melanoma cells, it works by regulating a protein called cyclin D1 which causes melanoma cells to multiply.

"If you don't have enough of that 193b, you have too much of the cyclin D1, which causes our cells to grow quickly. And really, cancer is a problem in part of cells growing too quickly," said Tron.

"Once you put in the 193b back into the cells, they start doing their business. So they're going to stop making the cyclin D1 or regulating it, and the cells basically slow down to a real profound effect."

The 193b gene is one of 1,000 microRNA genes that regulate some 30,000 protein-making genes.

Tron said researchers are also studying other microRNA genes to determine what role they play in slowing melanoma growth.

Melanoma, a growing problem, affects up to one in 70 Canadians, said Tron. He recommends people monitor their moles and notify a doctor if they change colour or grow.

"It's something that we all have to be aware of and look out for," he said. "The problem with melanoma is it tends to spread very quickly. It only has to invade maybe a millimetre or two into your skin, and potentially break off and go to to your lungs, your liver or your brain. Once it's done that, our potential for a cure is very limited right now."

