Survivan May Protect Malignant Cells

Small Molecules, Large Effect: How Cancer Cells Ensure Their Survival is a Science Daily article. Research into the role played by nitrogen monoxide, NO, and a protein known as survivian in head and neck tumors was discussed. People who develop cancer in the head and neck region tend to experience recurrence of the cancer following treatment as well as metastases. The biochemical basis for this may now be known.

NO is involved in many different biological functions. Researchers from the University Hospital of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered that iNOS, a protein which generates NO, is responsible for inducing the synthesis of another protein called survivan. Survivan is able to repress a cellular process known as apoptosis which induces the death of cells. Apoptosis is esssential to maintaining healthy cells because it induces death in cells which develop abnormalities. Abnormalities may become cancerous or may be cancerous cells. Apoptosis, a natural cellular function, in conjunction with chemotherapy, can defeat cancer by eliminating tumors. Unfortunately survivan, in instances of head and neck and possibly ovarian cancer as well, may ensure the survival of deadly tumors. Focusing on the regulation of survivan expression may lead to breakthroughs in combating affected cancers.