Scientists discover stomach cancer suppressor protein

South Korean researchers said Friday they have discovered a natural protein that suppresses stomach cancer growth, a find that may lead to a new kind of treatment for the disease. The scientists led by Park Sang-won, a pathology professor at the Catholic University of Korea, said the Gastrokine 1 (GKN1) protein has been tested to hinder gastric tumor growth. Tests, done by using 40 individual cancer cells taken from actual patients, showed a link between the amount of GKN1 produced in the stomach and tumor growth, they said. "Large amounts of the protein have been observed to suppress cancerous growth, while there is a noticeable decrease of GKN1 in the early stages of stomach cancer," Park said. Because the protein is produced naturally, discovering a way to get the body to make it more should help control tumor growth without side effects, he said. Park added that by checking the protein level in the stomach, it may be possible for doctors to quickly diagnose the onset of cancer. Such developments can greatly increase the chances of successful treatment of the potentially fatal disease. The discovery has been published in the latest issue of the international Journal of Pathology.