Scientists discover cancer cells can evade chemotherapy
Monday, 05 Jan 2009 08:12
Scientists discover cancer cells can evade chemotherapy
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Scientists believe they have illustrated a mechanism by which cancer cells can survive chemotherapy.
In a report published in the British Journal of Cancer today, researchers from the Chinese University of Hong King claim to have discovered a way in which the cells can reverse a process which commits normal cells to die.
For the study experts treated human cervical, skin, liver and breast cancer cells each with three different chemicals which initiate cell 'suicide' – known as apoptosis.
The researchers discovered the cancer cells managed to recover once chemicals to induce the cells' suicide process were removed.
The cells regained their shape, function and continued to divide. They only failed to recover if the nucleus had started to disintegrate, the scientists found.
Professor Ming-Chiu Fung, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said of the findings: "We have shown that various cancer cell lines can survive programmed cell death. This research suggests the existence of an escape tactic which cancer cells might call upon to survive chemotherapy treatment.
"Our finding sparks new leads to research what drives cancer cells to come back to life after chemotherapy treatment. Or to what extent this ability of cancer cells to reverse cell death contributes to their continued division and growth during cycles of anticancer treatment.
"Answers to these questions will provide potential new therapeutic targets in our battle against cancer."
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's cancer information director, described the report's findings as an "eye-opening discovery".
"It is an intriguing advance and one that we hope will play a useful part in our efforts to beat cancer," he added.