LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A University of Kentucky researcher has discovered a link between a patient being overweight and breast cancer and may have found a way to slow the progression of the disease in those patients.

Dr. Ren Xu has spent five years researching tumor micro-environment. He has identified a protein, HSP47, that, if manipulated, can reduce the rate of tumor growth.

“This protein can actually contribute to breast cancer metastasis, help the cancer cells survive well in the secondary organ for example lung and other organs,” said Dr. Xu. "

He was able to test a drug against HSP47 to block its production.

“Turn off the HSP47 and it reduces the body weight in the mice," said Dr. Xu. "More importantly the tumor growth in those mouse are dramatically reduced."

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