Researchers at Queen's University have revealed that the escalation of melanoma, one of the deathliest forms of skin cancer, can be decelerated when a little known gene known as MicroRNA 193b is added.

Victor Tron, head of pathology and molecular medicine, concentrated on miR-193b when he found that it was lacking in melanoma tumors and because there were less researches conducted about the gene.

The miRNA-193b gene is detected in people's DNA and was unidentified until 10 years back.

Victor said, "Our experiment was a bit of a fishing expedition in the beginning. We thought 193b might be important but the fact we got such a tremendous reaction - the melanoma really slowed down when we added 193b - was really startling."

In trials, augmented levels of miR-193b increased in melanoma cells resulted in lower levels of a well-known protein called cyclin D1, and diminished melanoma cell growth.

Lab tests with tissue samples showed that miR-193b plays a role in the melanoma process.

Additional studies will be required to discover what causes miR-193b levels to go up and down. (With Inputs from Agencies)