colon cancers are 1 of the most common types of cancer in the world, and their treatment remains a challenge for modern medicine. However, fresh investigation conducted by scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of discipline and Technology (KAIST) may change the approach to oncology therapy. Results published in the prestigious “Advanced Science” magazine propose that genetic manipulation can “heal” colon cancer cells by stimulating them to re-difference into healthy intestinal tissues.
A fresh Approach to Cancer Treatment
Most of the current methods of oncology therapy focus on the elimination of sick cells through surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. These techniques, despite their effectiveness, carry many side effects, specified as harm to healthy tissues and general weakness of the patient's body. In consequence to these challenges, researchers from KAIST presented a completely different approach that may prove to be groundbreaking.
Mechanism of action
Using a digital gene network model active in average cell development, the investigation squad identified respective key regulators that play an crucial function in the process of differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. Genetic manipulation by suppressing the activity of regulators specified as MYB, HDAC2 and FOXA2 allowed to reverse the cancer process. The colon cancer cells evolved into healthy bowel cells, eliminating the hazard of further developing the disease.
The tests were carried out in 3 stages: digital models, laboratory conditions and mice. Results indicate that inverting the cancer process is not only possible but besides systematically repetitive.
Expert opinions
“The fact that cancer cells can be transformed back into average cells is an astonishing phenomenon,” emphasises prof. Kwang-Hyun Cho, the task leader. "This survey shows that specified reversal can be systematically induced," he adds.
Potential for usage in another cancers
Moreover, scientists utilized their digital modeling tool to besides research the mechanisms of regulators in the mouse brain hippocampus. These studies may aid to discover fresh ways to treat brain cancer and another cancers in the body.
"These studies introduce a fresh concept of reversible cancer therapy by transforming cancer cells into average cells. They besides let to make basic technology to identify targets for inverting cancer by systematic analysis of the trajectory of differentiation of average cells," concludes prof. Cho.
Advantages of the fresh approach
- Minor side effects: Unlike conventional methods, this method does not destruct healthy cells or tissues.
- Universal Application: The digital modeling tool can be utilized for investigation on another types of cancer.
- Innovation: For the first time, an effective mechanics to reverse the cancer process at genetic level was presented.
Summary
Research from KIST is simply a milestone in the fight against cancer. Although further investigating and work is needed to apply this technology in clinical practice, it already opens up fresh perspectives in oncological therapy. The ability to turn cancer cells into healthy means not only more effective therapy, but besides improving the quality of life of patients and importantly reducing side effects.
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A revolution in cancer therapy? Korean scientists transform cancer cells into healthy ones
