Cause for cancer malignancy found, scientists claim

Researchers based at the University of Montreal, Canada, have claimed they now know why some cancers spread, while others remain dormant.

The scientists said cancerous cells reproduce by splitting in two, however they have discovered that a molecule known as PML can control how many times this occurs.

Dr Gerardo Ferbeyre, who works in the institution's biochemistry department, said: "We discovered that benign cancer cells produce the PML molecule and display abundant PML bodies, keeping them in a dormant, senescent state."

However, according to Dr Ferbeyre, malignant tumours either do not make PML or do not organise the molecule, causing the disease to spread unchecked.

He added the discovery provides interesting avenues for future developments that could lead to treatments that change malignant tumours into benign ones.

This followed recent news that scientists at the University of Illinois have developed and are using the latest microscopy techniques in order to detect cancers earlier.