Lung Cancer causing gene found

Scientists in Singapore have identified the gene that causes lung cancer. They found a marker called as CD166 in order to single out these cells. The cells responsible for tumor growth are the cancer stem cells or tumor-initiating cells (TIC), reported by Xinhua.

The several genes having a principal role in the growth of cancer cells were discoverd by the research team led by Bing Lim, associate director of cancer stem cell biology at the Genome Institute of Singapore, and Elaine Lim, medical oncologist affiliated with Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore.

They discovered that in abnormal instances when the level of a metabolic enzyme known as glycine decarboxylase rises significantly, it causes changes in the behaviour of the cell, making it cancerous.

The glycine decarboxylase is a normal occurring enzyme in cells, present in small quantities.

The finding, reported in the online issue of Cell Jan 5, is believed to be a huge step towards finding a cure for the disease.