Compound used to induce Heterotaxia may be link to new anti-tumor drug

North Carolina State biologist, Dr. Nanette Nascone-Yoder, began her research by trying to find the genes responsible for the proper development of the intestinal tract in frog embryos. She used a compound, heterotaxin, that induced hetertaxia, the mirror-image flipping of the internal organs. During her research, she found that the compound inhibits normal blood vessel development. It also impedes cellular movement, causing cells to adhere to one another. As her research progressed to find the genetic pathways that would cause this other affects to happen, the found the most likely candidate - the TGF-beta pathway. This pathways is known for its part in the progression of cancerous tumors. Other studies showed that heterotaxin slowed the growth of canine tumors.

Since cancerous tumors need the ability to migrate to cause harm, hetertoxin has the potential to inhibit this spreading. I found this article particularly interesting because of the potential that this compound could have in the drug industry. In areas like the lungs, where cancer tends to spread more quickly, this drug could stop the tumors in their tracks.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110228121454.htm