Kaist scientists have developed an innovative method that reports cancer cells to a normal state, a discovery that could revolutionize cancer treatment and offer concrete hope for millions of patients
A research team of the Kaistled by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho of the Biological and Cerebral Engineering Department, has developed an innovative technology that could change the treatment of cancer forever. This method allows you to convert cancer cells into a state similar to that of healthy cellswithout destroying them, thus avoiding the side effects and resistance to drugs typical of conventional therapies.
At the basis of this discovery there is a key observation: during the process of oncogenesishealthy cells regress along theirs differentiation trajectory. Starting from this intuition, the researchers have developed a technology capable of Create a digital twin of the genetic networkan advanced mathematical model that precisely simulates the dynamics of gene regulation during cell differentiation.
Through the simulation and analysis of this genetic network, scientists have identified the main ones molecular switches capable of Driving cancer cells towards a normal state. Applying these switches to cells of colon cancerthe researchers observed one surprising regression of the diseasewith cancerous cells that have regained a behavior similar to that of healthy cells.
Experiments and confirmations: colon cancer can be reversible
The results of this discovery were validated through molecular experiments, cell phones and on animal models. In particular, the team discovered three key genes –HDAC2, Foxa2 and Myb—What regulate the differentiation of colon cells. When these control factors They were introduced into cancer cells and in the Murini models of colon cancer, the result was surprising:
- Significant reduction in the proliferation of cancer cells
- Transformation of cancerous cells into healthy ones similar
- Tumor regression effect confirmed in animal models
The analysis also compared the transcriptoma—The set of express genes – over 400 colon cancer patients with that of cancer cells treated with new technology. The results confirmed that the treated cells developed a genetic profile very similar to that of healthy cellsdemonstrating the effectiveness of the method.
A new frontier in oncological therapy
This revolutionary discovery introduces the concept of reversible oncological therapyan approach that aims to bring the sick cells back to a healthy state instead of destroying them. According to Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho:
The fact that cancer cells can be converted into normal cells is an extraordinary phenomenon. This study shows that this reversibility can be induced in a controlled and systematic way.
A new paradigm that could replace or integrate current therapiesoffering safer and more effective treatmentswithout the devastating effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The research was supported by Ministry of Science and ICT and from the National Research Foundation of Koreain the context of basic research programs and for half -career scientists. The results were transferred to the startup Biorevernt Inc.which is working to develop a Oncological therapy based on the reversion of cancerwith the aim of making this innovation available for patients.
The study, carried out with the contribution of Jeong-Ryeol Gong, Chun-Kyung Lee, Hoon-Min Kim, Juhee Kim and Jaeog Jeonwas published in the magazine Advanced Science.
A step forward that could radically change the way we face canceroffering concrete hope for millions of people around the world.
