A notable study by the Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, claims to have discovered a cellular defect in the human cells that can disturb the protein synthesis in the cells, making them more vulnerable to cancer.

They have also found a set of drugs that can stall the cellular defect and correct it.

The research would help doctors win over various forms of cancer [abnormal cells that divide without control, which can invade nearby tissues or spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. ] like breast cancer, colorectal cancer, brain cancer, and multiple myeloma, claim the scientists.

"Our work has the potential to create real, tangible benefits for the medical community," said UCSF faculty scientist Davide Ruggero, whose lab team is doing research in the burgeoning field of study on how defects in protein synthesis can lead to cancer susceptibility.

The findings are featured as the cover story in the March 16, 2010 issue of the scientific journal Cancer Cell.

mTOR hyperactivity, the key defect
The scientists explain that a protein unit known as mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin.) is responsible for the control of protein production within the cell, translational control.

Obtaining information about the cell's energy needs and signaling the protein synthesis activity is the main function of the mTOR.

mTOR gets hyper activated when the cells lose control over it, leading to high levels of protein production in the body.

Cancer cells exploit this excess protein level for their own survival and growth, leading to tumor formation.

"Our findings show that for a cancer cell, normal cellular functions such as protein synthesis can be specifically hijacked for tumor growth," explained first author Andrew Hsieh, a clinical fellow at the UCSF School of Medicine and the Department of Urology at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Drug discovered to rectify the defect
A new drug, PP242, which is in Phase 1 clinical trials, can obtain control over the protein production and the cell propagation, overcoming the mTOR hyperactivity, revealed the lead researchers.

"We are extremely excited about our findings and the potential of targeting aberrant protein synthesis and mTOR in cancer as we should be able to block cancer's main source of growth," said Ruggero.

"We demonstrated that the drug kills the cancer cells more effectively because it blocks the abnormal production of proteins,The other drugs we tested did not show clinical effectiveness in blocking cancer development in this manner," he concluded.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.