Researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have found that cancer cells can overcome the programmed cell death included with normal cells.In a process known as apoptosis, normal human cells contain a genetically encoded signal to end their individual lives after a certain point. This process helps keep the body healthy by preventing damaged or defective cells from continuing to multiply. However, cancer cells lack this encoding and continue to multiply without limit, developing into a tumor.
The researchers exposed human cervical, skin, liver and breast cancer cells to a variety of chemicals, each of which triggers apoptosis in normal human cells. Not only did the cancer cells survive, once the chemicals were removed they recovered and again started to multiply.
This research may show why some cancers are resistant to certain chemotherapies, and will assist in the development of more effective treatments.
These results were published in a recent issue of the British Journal of Cancer.
Photo: BBC News
No comments:
Post a Comment