Though melanoma holds the smallest percentage of skin cancer patients, it results in a large number of deaths caused due to the disease. In a recent survey by the American Cancer Society, near about 96,000 cancer patients have been discovered in the country during the beginning of the present year. Out of those patients, more than 7,000 have got succumbed to the disease.
According to the scientists, NRAS gene mutation is considered as the main cause which makes melanoma so lethal. Primarily, the NRAS gene helps the body in perfectly regulating the cell division. One report also states that NRAS mutation is the prime cause for giving rise to maximum melanoma case. While speaking to the media professor Cui said that his team of scientists has found various immunotherapy as well as targeted therapies against the melanoma.
To find a perfect cure for melanoma, a team of scientists has started to examine the chain reaction which basically occurs inside the genes. The chain reaction in the gene is considered to have a direct link with melanoma disease. Professor Cui further told the media that the NRAS gene acts like a genetic switch which usually gets triggered by some molecules. The team of scientists still does not have any recollection about the protein which triggers the NRAS gene.
The research of scientists has found one specific protein which they think plays an important role in causing melanoma. Scientists have called that protein as STK19. The team of Prof. Cui has designed an inhibitor for STK19 which helps to curb the lethal disease. They have tested the inhibitor in vivo as well as in vitro conditions.
Speaking in a press meet, professor Cui said that his team needs to work more on the inhibitor before they make it available for a wide range of patients around the globe. According to professor Cui, the process will also prevent the spreading of the melanoma in the body.