Italian researchers working in the United States have discovered a new 'cell security' system that kicks in when DNA is damaged and tumours develop.
The mechanism could be used with chemotherapy to boost cancer treatment, the New York University team said.
The sophisticated system is based on a number of interrupters that switch off cells, team leader Michele Pagano told ANSA.
When the DNA is damaged the mechanism stops the cell reproducing to prevent the damage spreading to its offspring, he said.
The enzyme that is initially activated is called Cdc14B phosphatase.
In turn, this enzyme switches on a cell 'incinerator', a protein called APC/CCdh1.
The incinerator destroys the lever that triggers cell multiplication so that the diseased cell cannot proliferate, Pagano said.
''Using this mechanism in combination with chemotherapy, we are convinced we will be able to boost anti-cancer treatment,'' he said.
