'Junk' DNA breakthrough by cancer researchers

RESEARCHERS have discovered a new driving force behind cancer growth.

A study by Leeds University and scientists in Berlin has identified how "junk" DNA promotes the growth of cancer cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Professor Constanze Bonifer suspects these pieces of DNA, called "long terminal repeats" (LTRs), can play a role in other forms of cancer, according to the study, published in Nature Medicine.

LTRs are genetic material that has accumulated in the human genome over millions of years. Although they originate from viruses and are potentially harmful, they are usually made inactive when embryos are developing in the womb.

The researchers found the process by which this "junk" DNA is made active, promoting cancer growth.

Prof Bonifer said: "This would have implications for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of these diseases."