The National Post reports that scientists have been successful in turning aggressive cancer cells back into harmless, normal cells. According to experts, this incredible development could lead to others in cancer treatment and even teach researchers more about how to "switch off" the disease in patients.
The Post writes that scientists were able to change breast, lung, and bladder cancer cells back into benign cells by restoring the function that allows cells to stop multiplying. All cells have the ability to multiply in order to replace themselves, like skin cells do when you have a cut or scratch, but the problem with cancer cells is that they cannot stop reproducing and become dangerous tumors. This new technique is similar to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, said researchers, which could teach them how to effectively stop the cancer entirely.
"Initial experiments in some aggressive types of cancer are indeed very promising," said Professor Panos Anastasiadis. "It represents an unexpected new biology that provides the code, the software for turning off cancer."
What's left to be seen is whether the treatment could be applied to cancer patients, rather than just human cells in a lab. But the Post writes that researchers are "hopeful" we could get to the point where this technique is used to "switch off" cancer in the place of chemotherapy or surgery.
Read more about it here.
