Scientists identify master gene that can kill cancer

The newly discovered gene, known as E4bp4, causes blood stem cells to turn into Natural Killer (NK) immune cells.

NK cells are a type of white blood cells which form a major component of human body’s immune system. These cells have the potential to scan the cancerous or the virus-infected cells and provide a fast front line defense against tumors, viruses and bacterial infections.

Mouse model may help understand the role of NK cells
To investigate the role of the newly found gene, researchers based at the Imperial College London and the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research genetically created a mouse, the world's first animal model with all blood cells and immune cells intact but entirely lacking the E4bp4 gene, the master gene that helps in NK cell production.

Researchers believe that the faulty NK cells could trigger serious medical conditions like multiple sclerosis -- an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune response attacks a person's central nervous system. But with this mouse model, they are hoping to discover the role of this gene in fighting viruses, bacteria as well as cancers.

Lead researcher Dr. Hugh Brady said, "Now finally, with our discovery of the NK cell master gene and subsequent creation of our mouse model, we will be able to find out if the progression of these diseases is impeded or aided by the removal of NK cells from the equation.

"This will solve the often-debated question of whether NK cells are always the 'good guys', or if in certain circumstances they cause more harm than good," he added.

Scientists aiming at drug development
At present, NK cells isolated from the donated blood are used to treat the cancer patients, but their effectiveness is limited as these cells differ from person to person.

However, scientists are looking forward to creating a drug that could boost the number of natural killer cells among the cancer patients. The drug is likely to be powerful medicine against breast, lung, blood cancers and other medical conditions including persistent viral infections, female fertility etc.

Dr. Brady said, "If increased numbers of the patient's own blood stem cells could be coerced into differentiating into NK cells, via drug treatment, we would be able to bolster the body's cancer-fighting force, without having to deal with the problems of donor incompatibility."

The researchers discovered the importance of NK cells while they were studying the effect of E4bp4 in a very rare but fatal form of childhood leukaemia.

Ken Campbell, of the charity Leukaemia Research, said, "This study helps shed more light on the behaviour of NK cells, which is vital because if we understand how these cells function we can hope to exploit this knowledge to improve treatments for cancer patients."

The study is published in the journal Nature Immunology Today.