Protein inhibitor may help cure liver cancer

Chinese scientists have identified a protein that causes the proliferation of liver cancer cells, which could assist in the development of a new cancer drug.

By studying proteins of patients with early-stage liver cancer, researchers found that the activity of one protein, identified as SOAT1, can affect cholesterol stability in cancer cells - which triggers them to proliferate and migrate.

The study also found that avasimibe, an inhibitor of SOAT1, shows potential as a targeted therapeutic drug.