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High levels of Notch1 can drive osteoblasts to become cancerous, suggests a new study, performed on a new mouse model of osteogenic sarcoma. 

Osteoblasts are the cells that normally lead to bone formation. 

"This is the first example of Notch1 driving this type of cancer," said Dr. Brendan Lee, professor and interim chair of molecular and human genetics at Baylor and corresponding author of the report, in the press release. "Our study supports the hypothesis that Notch activating mutations can act as a common triggering mechanism in cells of mesenchymal origin such as committed osteoblasts."

"This is an unusual cancer that affects mainly the young and adults over 40," said Lee. 

Researchers added that the treatment, once the disease has metastasized, is only about 50 percent successful. 

Determining what drives the disease at the molecular level can help identify targets that could improve treatment, Lee added. 

Researchers noted that when Notch is activated and a tumor suppressor called p53 is lost, the development of the bone cancer is speeded up. 

The study is published in the journal Cancer Cell.