New research data surfaced showing that women suffering from ovarian cancer with low levels of two certain enzymes associated with tumors incur greater risks of dying than women with higher levels. These findings could help medical researchers find a way to improve therapeutic methods for ovarian cancer currently available.

According to the Washington Post, the study refers to a pair of enzymes which play a significant role in a process called RNA interference. The molecules involved are actually capable of shutting down genes and thus providing a potential approach to treatment. The two enzymes are called Dicer and Drosha.

The researchers made measurements of RNA (mRNA) levels of Dicer and Drosha found in samples of tissue taken from 111 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They found that 39 percent of infected cells had low levels of both Drosha and Dicer genes, 60 percent had low levels of Dicer and about 50 percent low levels of Drosha. When they compared these results with survival information, the scientists realized that low levels of one or both genes meant less chance of survival. This conclusion was verified after samples from another 132 patients yielded the same results.

Dr. Anil K. Sood teaches cancer biology and gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and he is the senior author of this study (which was published in the December 18 issue of New England Journal of Medicine). He said that patients with low levels of both proteins survived for an average period of 2.66 years, whereas those with high levels made it to almost 11 years, which shows the importance of these enzyme’s role in ovarian cancer. Dr. Sood also expressed his belief that the results of the study “may guide therapy in the future”.