Advertisement

Scientists discover how body detects early signs of cancer

Damage to DNA is often one of the earliest steps in the development of cancer in the body.

By Amy Wallace

July 26 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have determined how damage to a cell's DNA can trigger inflammation, often helping the body to spot cancer.

"Our findings provide a possible new mechanism for how the body protects itself against cancer, but in some circumstances could instead trigger inflammatory disease," Dr. Karen Mackenzie, of the MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh, said in a news release.

Advertisement

Researchers discovered how potentially cancerous cells are identified by the body so they can be removed as part of the body's natural surveillance system before tumors can form.

The study, published Monday in Nature, identified a key molecule called cGAS, which is known to bind DNA, that can trigger inflammation. This occurs because cGAS can penetrate micronuclei and bind to DNA. That starts a process that leads to inflammation.

Because DNA damage is one of the early steps in the development of cancer, the detection of micronuclei by cGAS could be a vital early alarm system allowing the body to detect and remove potentially cancerous cells.

"We hope that this research will inform future studies into the development of improved therapeutic approaches," Dr. Martin Reijns, senior research fellow at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, said.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines