Silence of the genes

Uppsala University

Researchers have identified genes silenced within the cells of an incurable blood cancer that might explain the rapid growth of malignant cells. The silenced genes are normally active in healthy blood plasma cells which, unlike cancer cells, are very specialized with a tightly controlled growth rate and lifespan.

Waking up these silenced genes using a treatment that targets them in the cancer cells could be an effective strategy to beat multiple myeloma. The researchers found that certain inhibitors were able to slow down tumour growth in laboratory animals.