Admin
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Admin | Published : August 17, 2013 9:07 AM IST
Now scientists have found a way to target the structure of cancer cells, making the treatment of cancer that much more possible.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) demonstrated that the therapy is effective in two types of cancers in the animal model namely neorublastoma (cancer that affects children) and melanoma (skin cancer). Scientists say that the drug causes the collapse of the structure of the cancer cells. Since this process happens relatively quickly and is effective against every type of cancer cells, it has given scientists hope for more new age treatments for ailments like cancers in children.
This new line of treatment could lead to an entirely new type of chemotherapy, which could have more positive outcomes for hard-to-treat cancers and have fewer long-term side effects for survivors.
Lead scientist Dr Justine Stehn from the Oncology Research Unit, in the School of Medical Sciences, says that targeting the architecture of cancer cells has long been the aim of almost all studies, but because these building blocks also make up the heart and muscles, attacking those cells was impossible. Soon they found that there was another building block that was unique to cancer cells tropomyosin. This compound in the cancer cell structure was sufficiently different from those in the heart and muscle, and could be safely targeted.
The study was published in journal Cancer Research.
