Sask., U.S. researchers discover protein that could unlock better cancer treatments [Video]

A team of researchers from universities in Saskatchewan, Wisconsin and Oregon have made a significant breakthrough that could improve cancer treatments in the future.

Oleg Dmitriev is a professor in the department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Saskatchewan. He says his lab focuses on the regulation of copper and iron inside the cell.

While iron is essential in helping blood carry oxygen throughout the body, among other roles, Dmitriev says iron and copper have a dark side.

“In their free form, they can produce reactive oxygen species,” said Dmitriev. “And these are really highly damaging small molecules that indiscriminately strike everything in their path inside the cell, eventually causing cell death. And so that means that, flow of iron and copper in the cell has to be tightly regulated.”

Dmitriev says cancer cells depend on iron for their rapid growth, making it a good target for …