The present study shows that the inhibition of these microRNA molecules or estrogen therapy in combination with an overexpression of the estrogen receptor can cause aggressive neuroblastoma cells with MYCN activation to mature into neuron - like cells which behave
more like normal cells.
«Hopefully, we can make cancer cells
die like normal cells,» said Weihang Chai, an assistant professor in the WSU School of Molecular Biosciences and WWAMI medical education program in Spokane.
Cancer cells develop what is referred to as metabolic autonomy which means they are able to self - mediate growth and division instead of being stimulated by an external
signal like a normal cell (1).
Rather than attacking and destroying replicating cells as standard chemotherapy drugs do, this therapy reprograms cells to behave
more like normal cells.
Researchers know that,
like normal cells, cancer cells start to die when the mercury rises above 43 ˚C.
If that second strand of DNA can not be lengthened, says Chai, it behaves
like a normal cell and dies a normal death.