Newly-discovered gene linked to oesophageal cancer leads to potential new treatments Posted on May 18, 2014February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A newly-discovered gene linked to oesophageal cancer holds the promise of new treatments for this notoriously difficult-to-fight disease. Researchers at Cambridge University in the UK have found a gene called TRIM44 which plays a key role in the development of oesophageal cancer. The discovery of this gene has also led to finding the disease’s key driver. The new research has revealed that when multiple copies (called over-expressions) of the TRIM44 gene are found in a patient this leads to higher activity of the mTOR gene, which regulates cell growth and division – a process that, when uncontrolled, can lead to cancer. Continue reading “Newly-discovered gene linked to oesophageal cancer leads to potential new treatments”