A gene that suppresses the growth of many cancerous tumours has been discovered by B.C. researchers.

Studies conducted on mice revealed that when the gene HACE1 was inactivated, spontaneous late-stage cancer developed.

When mice without the HACE1 gene were exposed to environmental triggers for cancer there was surge in tumour development.
(CBC)

When mice without HACE1 were exposed to environmental triggers, such as ultraviolet radiation, lung carcinogens and other genetic alterations, there was a surge in tumour development. Mice developed breast, lung and liver cancers, as well as lymphomas, melanomas and sarcomas.

When the HACE1 gene was reintroduced via injection into the mice, tumour growth was halted.

"The discovery of this gene is very exciting because it clearly impacts a wide range of cancers, and provides a novel link between cellular stress and cancer," Dr. Poul Sorensen, senior scientist at the B.C. Cancer Agency, said in a release.

"If we can learn how to reactivate HACE1 or block cancer cells from inactivating this gene, it may be possible to improve treatments for many cancer patients."

The findings of the study are published in the Aug. 12 issue of the journal Nature Medicine. It was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Josef Penninger of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

"We've always suspected that cancer is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors working together," said Sorensen. "Our results give us insight into how the disease takes root when a single gene is inactivated."