Researchers are developing an anti-cancer agent which also promotes regeneration of damaged heart muscle — an unexpected finding that may help prevent congestive heart failure in the future.

Many parts of the body, such as blood cells and the lining of the gut, continuously renew throughout life.

Others, such as the heart, do not. Because of the heart’s inability to repair itself, damage caused by a heart attack causes permanent scarring that frequently results in serious weakening of the heart, known as heart failure.

For years, Lawrence Lum, associate professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in the U.S. worked on a cancer drug that targets Wnt signalling molecules.................Read more

Source: The Hindu