WEHI researchers identify an exciting new approach to the treatment of stomach and bowel cancers Posted on August 16, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Melbourne researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have identified a potential new drug target (a molecule called interleukin-11) for the treatment of bowel and stomach cancer, which are two of the most common cancers worldwide. When a tumour develops in the stomach or bowel region, the normal (non-cancerous) tissues around it often becomes inflamed producing many different molecules, including two particular (related) cytokine molecules: interleukin-11 and interleukin-6. Interleukin-6 has long been in the spotlight in terms of cancer research, as it is known to promote the spread of cancer cells. In fact, anti-cancer agents that block interleukin-6 are already in clinical trials for ovarian, kidney, prostate and breast cancers. However, interleukin-11 has only been thought to have a minor role in the growth and spread of cancers. Continue reading “WEHI researchers identify an exciting new approach to the treatment of stomach and bowel cancers”
