Cancer Breakthrough: Researchers Shed Light On Proteins That Cause Inflammation

Inflammation in the body has long been linked to a number of diseases. While perhaps best known for the role it plays in making arthritis painful, inflammation is also strongly associated with a number of different cancers, including cancer of the bowel. Gaining a better understanding of why inflammation occurs and how to stop it in its tracks has long been a promising line of cancer research. A recent study has shed light on how the process gets started.

A recent study involving the PAD4 protein, which is heavily involved in the development of arthritis, may have led to a way to switch off this mechanism. During the study, scientists learned that PAD4 happens to be attracted by the protein E2F-1. The latter protein is responsible for regulating activities in cells and also plays a role in the spread of cancer. The research also led scientists to uncover the role of a protein called BRD4. It was learned that BRD4, working with PAD4, were able to promote E2F-1 to proliferate inflammation.

By gaining the understanding of how these three proteins worked together, scientists were able to devise a way to suppress the role they play. In doing so, they were able to stop the spread of arthritis in mice. The best results occurred when both PAD4 and BRD4 were suppressed at the same time.

The full implications of the research remain unclear, but rather promising. By better understanding how the inflammation process gets started, researchers may someday be able to slow, prevent or possibly even cure illnesses such as arthritis or bowel cancer someday down the road.

Inflammation is linked to many cancers and a variety of other conditions. Each condition has its own risk factors that go well beyond inflammation, as well. People who are concerned about cancer are urged to speak with their healthcare providers to access their personal risks and steps to lower them.

Those who wish to cut their risks for cancer and other diseases will find leading a healthy lifestyle is often one of the smartest moves to make. This involves eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and refraining from using tobacco, among other things. While research to shut off the inflammatory response has moved forward thanks to this recent study, its full benefits could be years in the future. In the meantime, people can help themselves lower risks by simply getting active.

a href=http://lascolinascancercenter.com/about-usAt Las Colinas Cancer Center, a Choice Cancer Care Treatment Center, our team is committed to providing the personalized, compassionate treatment that can make all the difference in cancer care.