New Way To 'stop' Premature Birth

A drug used to treat cancer can stop contractions and may prevent premature labour, researchers say.

The Newcastle University team tested the drug Trichostatin A on tissue taken from 36 women undergoing a caesarean. The researchers said the therapy worked by increasing the levels of a protein that controls muscle relaxation. One expert said with rates of premature births rising - there are 50,000 a year in the UK - a new treatment was badly needed.

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