CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WTVR) — Researchers with the University of Virginia Health Systems have discovered a protein that could stop the growth and spread of cancer cells to other organs.
The protein is called SPARC.
Researchers say most tumors have the protein in the beginning and then lose it later, which allows the tumors to start growing quickly, but by putting the protein back inside the tumor, scientists were able to keep it from growing.
Researchers said SPARC has the potential to treat bladder and ovarian cancers.