Birmingham University halts killer liver virus

---

University of Birmingham researchers may have found a way to halt the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) that causes liver failure in 95% of transplant patients.

Re-infection of transplanted livers with the HCV virus can irreparably damage the new organ.

The research team headed up by Professor Jane McKeating, Professor David Mutimer and Dr Ian Rowe have demonstrated that, if HCV can be stopped by a drug which blocks the virus entering the liver, the chances of the liver transplant being a success is greatly improved.

Read published article 

Green tea curbs cancer?

New research carried out by the UCL Institute of Child Health and Brunel University has revealed that green tea can hold back the growth of cancer.

The study, based on a mouse model, shows that the use of catechins extracted from green tea leaves can suppress the growth of, one of the most fatal forms of childhood cancers (Neuroblastoma) by boosting the body’s own anti-tumour response. Sparks, the charity funding the study, hopes the research will lead to the development of less toxic treatments for children with cancer.

Read the published article

Sheffield closer to new cancer treatment

University of Sheffield scientists are targeting a cancer-friendly protein that helps tumours resist cancer treatments.

Chemical and radiotherapies work by causing genetic damage that kills rapidly dividing cancer cells that form tumours. The protein, known as hPIF1, gets in the way of the treatment process.
The scientists at Sheffield’s Institute for Cancer Studies hope to switch-off the protein that protects the tumour from within cancer cells so that...

Read the published article