Obesity gene inhibitor may prevent cancer

A new drug being tested at Michigan State University may help prevent cancer by inhibiting one of the functions of a gene associated with obesity.

The drug, I-BET-762, has shown signs of being able to inhibit key proteins in the c-Myc gene in both cancerous and healthy cells in mice, according to tests carried out by associate professor at the university Karen Liby. 

She explained: "I-BET-762 works by targeting DNA so that this gene can't be expressed."

By reducing the expression of these by as much as 80 percent, the drug could prevent or delay the onset of breast and lung cancer.

A second test, by assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology Jamie Bernard, found that the drug could also have a positive effect on precancerous cells, with less than half of these actually becoming cancerous. 

The c-Myc gene is found in visceral fat, which is present in large quantities in cases of obesity. 

Noting the link between cancer and excess weight, Professor Bernard said: "Almost half a million of all new cancers have been linked to obesity."
 
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