Daijiworld Media Network – Seoul

Seoul, Feb 8: In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in South Korea have found a ‘switch’ that can reverse cancer cells to a healthier state, offering a potential new treatment approach. Researchers identified a critical moment in the early stages of cancer development when cells are in a hybrid state, showing both healthy and cancerous traits. This discovery could revolutionize cancer treatment by allowing therapies that help patients regain healthy cells instead of destroying cancer cells through traditional methods like chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

Dr Troso-Sandoval, a retired oncologist, explained that this finding suggests rewiring cancer cells rather than eliminating them could be a viable treatment option. Unlike conventional treatments that harm both cancerous and healthy cells, this new approach targets the transition phase, where cancerous traits are still reversible. The study also offers a deeper understanding of cancer biology, which could pave the way for personalized medicine in the future.

The research, led by professor Kwang-Hyun Cho and his team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, demonstrated the potential of the new approach using lab-grown colon cancer tumours. By blocking a specific enzyme that fuels tumour growth, the researchers successfully reverted the tumours to a normal state, showing promise for more effective and less harmful therapies.

This breakthrough holds great promise, particularly for high-risk patients, such as those with a family history of cancer or exposure to carcinogens, as it may prevent tumour formation before it takes hold. The findings, published in Advanced Science, mark a significant step toward a future where cancer could be addressed at an earlier, more manageable stage.