After obtaining preliminary evidence showing there may be a gene that suppresses the growth of prostate cancer, the National Cancer Institute granted $1.35 million to Asst. Pathology Prof. Jin-Tang Dong to further research the matter over the next five years.
"The major part of the research is in localizing and identifying the gene. Work will be done by others to see how exactly the gene can be used" in fighting the disease, Dong said.
He said the gene could be useful in determining whether a person's tumor is malignant or benign. One challenge for many urologists is determining which prostate tumors are life-threatening and cancerous or if they will remain harmless if untreated.
He added that it may be possible, although unlikely, to halt the growth of cancerous tumors if the gene were restored in a cancer sufferer's body.
"Research shows that the gene is on the QY4 band of chromosome 13," Dong said, although he approximates it will take between one and three years to find the exact location of the gene.
Pathology Prof. Henry Frierson, Jr., is working with Dong in researching the gene.
"My main role is to microdissect cancer cells for Dong to investigate," Frierson said.
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. It is also a current focus of the University Cancer Center.
The University Cancer Center is trying to identify new tumor suppressor genes to fight biologically aggressive cancer, Frierson said.
He said the University Cancer Center now is in the process of trying to obtain a very large, multimillion-dollar grant from the government to aid in its research endeavors.
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