Cancer-Related Pathway Reveals Potential Treatment Target For Rare Pediatric Disease Cherubism

Cancer researchers studying genetic mutations that cause leukemia have discovered a connection to the rare disease cherubism, an inherited facial bone disorder in children. The link is the enzyme Tankyrase and its pivotal role in switching on or off the protein that controls two known cancer genes. In normal cells, the protein is vital for bone development. In abnormal cells, it is thought to be involved in two common types of blood cancer - chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. The findings, published online today in CELL (DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.10...

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