Scientists pave way for potential new therapy for tongue cancer

A new therapy for tongue cancer could be in the offing, with a team of scientists at the Department of Biotechnology’s Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics coming out with a new insight into the mechanism by which an anti-cancer protein helps in the development of cancer when it mutates.

In a new study, CDFD scientists have identified a rare p53 form of tongue cancer in Indians, which causes these mutant p53 cancers. Scientists collected samples after surgery and screened them to convert into a TP53 gene. This gene is a sequence of nucleotides in DNA, which are symbolic points for preparing p53 proteins.

Importance

• This is for the first time when SMARCD1 has been shown as a possible driver of any type of cancer.
• The observations made in this study are important because they reveal a new and possible mechanism to prevent cancer through p53 proteins.
• Study results can be engaged to develop a treatment for tongue cancer.

P53 Protein

• There is a specific protein p53 is found in human cells.
• It is considered as most beneficial protein as it controls many basic functions, including cell division and repair of damaged DNA.
• It works directly with DNA, helping to form proteins. It is helpful for routine cellular functions, as well as playing an effective role in preventing cancer.
• A report published in this regard said that p53’s availability help to prevent cancer as it decreases cancer from the human body.
• Recent studies have shown that some specific and moderately altered p53 variants are active in cancer growth.

Discovery

• Scientists identified genes of the mutant p53 protein with the help of modern technology. One of these genes, called SMARCD1, is the most important. SMARCD1 converts a protein into symbolic words.
• It goes with other proteins and forms a multi-protein complex.
• Scientists have found that SMARCD-1 is seen in tongue cancer in Indians.

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