South Korean researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to reprogram cancer cells into normal cells without killing them, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced that a research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering has discovered an innovative approach that alters the genetic switches within cancer cells, prompting them to revert to their original, non-cancerous state.
The team used a digital twin of the cancer cell gene network to identify key genetic switches that, when manipulated, cause cancer cells to revert to a normal-like state. This approach was successfully applied to colon cancer cells, where the malignant cells lost their cancerous properties and regained normal cell functions.
Unlike traditional cancer therapies like chemotherapy, which aim to destroy cancer cells but often harm healthy tissue, this new approach offers the potential to transform malignant cells back into normal cells. This could significantly reduce side effects and improve treatment outcomes for patients, the Interesting Engineering noted.
Early experiments in laboratory models have shown success, particularly with colon cancer cells, but further research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm its efficacy in humans.
If proven successful, this discovery could mark a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, moving from destructive methods to more regenerative, less invasive approaches.
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