The results indicate that Nox1 protein, a member of the NADPH oxidase family, controls the growth of tumour cells in the liver through regulation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, which is involved in several processes altered in cancer cells such as growth, apoptosis (programmed cell death), differentiation and cell migration.

Researchers have shown that inhibition of Nox1, using RNA interference or antioxidants, attenuates the growth of liver tumour cells.

The first author of the study, Patricia Sancho, noted that “the NAPH oxidase Nox1 may be a new therapeutic target for treating hepatocellular carcinoma.”

This disease is the most common type of liver primary cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with several molecular alterations, although the most obvious is the dysbalance in the mechanisms that regulate proliferation and cell death.

Article reference

Patricia Sancho and Isabel Fabregat. NADPH Oxidase NOX1 Controls Autocrine Growth of Liver Tumor Cells through Up-regulation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Pathway. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2010 Aug 6;285(32):24815-24. Epub 2010 Jun 4.