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... Sydney science leads on cancers - National - theage.com.au NEWS register www.theage.com.au Home » National » Article Sydney science leads on cancers Email Print Normal font Large font Deborah SmithMarch 30, 2007 SYDNEY scientists have made a breakthrough in the study of a substance in cells linked to 85 per cent of cancers.

They have worked out the composition of telomerase, an enzyme that makes cancer cells immortal by preventing them dying as they age.

The research could lead to a single drug to treat almost all tumours, including breast, colon, lung and prostate.

Scott Cohen, of the Children's Medical Research Institute, said telomerase was present only in tiny amounts in cancer cells.

To determine its make-up he had to find a way to purify it from all the other enzymes.

"I had to pull out one part in a million, which is roughly a teacup of water from an Olympic swimming pool," he said.

The institute director, Roger Reddel, said telomerase was a target of anti-cancer research worldwide.

"This discovery sharpens the focus and no doubt will speed up the process of delivering successful treatments.

It's very exciting." Telomerase was co-discovered...

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