(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-24 09:30

SEOUL -- A group of Korean researchers announced they have found how a gene causes the uncontrolled growth of tumor cells in liver cancer, the Korea Times reported on Monday.

According to the local daily, the research is the first to confirm the role of a gene called TM4SF5 in liver cancer and could lead to the development of efficient anti-cancer drugs.

A joint research team, led by Seoul National University Professor Lee Jung-weon, have already succeeded in producing a chemical compound that can inhibit the catalystic role of TM4SF5, the daily said.

The paper about the research was published in Journal of Clinical Investigation on Friday.

"We are now searching for a business partner to conduct clinical research into liver cancer drugs," the daily quoted the team as saying.

According to the researchers, the TM4SF5, or tetraspanin transmembrane 4 superfamily member 5, has been suspected of being linked to various cancers since 1998.

The researchers first found that seven of nine patients suffering from liver cancer had more TM4SF5 in their tissue cells than those of healthy people. To confirm the relationship between the gene and cancer, they injected mice with the substance and observed it caused tumor cells to grow.

They said that their finding can allow specific research to go forward on how to suppress the tumor cells from becoming overly active.