The resulting «map» of gene - drug interactions allowed the researchers to accurately predict the responses of multiple human cancer cell lines to different
chemotherapy agents based on the cell lines» genetic profiles and also revealed new genetic factors that appear to determine the response of breast and ovarian tumor cells to common classes of chemotherapy treatment.
«This paper reveals a metabolic frailty in cancer cells that is
based on their own production of oxidizing
agents that allows us to utilize existing redox active compounds, like vitamin C, to sensitize cancer cells to radiation and
chemotherapy,» says co-author Garry Buettner, who was one of the first to propose that cancer cells might have a vulnerability to redox active compounds over 40 years ago.