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Suffocating tumours could lead to new cancer drugs

Scientists have discovered a new molecule that prevents cancer cells from surviving when starved of oxygen.

Cancer cells have a master switch - HIF-1 - that allows them to adapt to low oxygen levels by triggering the formation of new blood vessels around tumours.

By testing 3.2 million potential compounds, they were able to find a molecule that stopped HIF-1 from working.

This could lead to the development of a drug that could stop cancer in its tracks.

Read more at University of Southampton

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