Fish protein ‘could prevent cancer metastasis’

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered a fish-derived protein that could be used to stop the spread of cancer.

The study was the first to explore the therapeutic utility of a bioactive cod TFD-containing glycopeptide to inhibit prostate cancer – and potentially other cancer types – from progressing and infecting other parts of the body.

It found that a special form of the antigen, purified from Pacific cod, binds to a certain protein that is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, thus preventing them from adhering to the walls of blood vessels and killing white blood cells.

This means this agent could potentially be useful as dietary therapy to complement standard treatments for prostate cancer.

Dr Albert Reece, vice-president for medical affairs and dean of the University of Maryland, said: "This research breaks new ground in our ongoing quest to discover new ways to prevent cancers from metastasising to distant parts of the body."

According to NHS data, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year.