A leading Yorkshire scientist is trying to develop new drugs by synthesising different forms of the special sugars found in cancer cells. Now, with support from the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), Dr Robert Falconer will be using his discovery to search for new molecules to stop disease spread.

Dr Falconer, a Lecturer in Medicinal Chemistry based in the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford explains: "On the surface of cancer cells there is a long molecule, called polysialic acid, which is made up of about 200 identical simple sugars associated withgether.

"Polysialic acid has been found on the surface of many different human cancers. When these cancer cells start to spread, they appear to get more polysialic acid on their surface. We think that this helps these cells 'unstick' from their neighbouring cells, so they can start invading the surrounding tissues and moving away from the original tumour.


Posted by: Adona    Source

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