WWP2-FL gene linked with increased chances of metastasis.

Most cancer deaths, about 90%, are caused by cancer that has metastasized, or spread throughout the body. Blocking this step is a key goal of many cancer therapies. For this reason, researchers at the University of East Anglia were excited to report the discovery of a gene that appears directly linked with a cancer’s chances of metastasis. The product of the gene WWP2-FL interacts with and disables the function of several pathways that prevent cancer growth and metastasis. WWP2-FL enables cancer to continue to grow, and ultimately spread. Disabling the WWP2-FL gene may be a key step in preventing metastasis.