A new perspective in cancer treatment

Siberian scientists have discovered the unique properties of cells that open up new prospects in the treatment of cancer

Press Service of FITZ ICIG SB RAS

While studying cancer stem cells that are capable of sudden relapses of a seemingly cured disease, a group of scientists from the FIT Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, led by the head of the Laboratory of induced Cellular Processes, Doctor of Biological Sciences Sergey Bogachev, discovered they have a unique property: they were able to capture extracellular DNA fragments. 

Using this feature, scientists were able to mark cancer stem cells: they injected a specific fluorochrome dye into the DNA probe, and the cells that took it began to glow red. Evgenia Dolgova, a senior researcher at the laboratory, Candidate of Biological Sciences, told about the benefits that can be derived from the properties of cells discovered by researchers:

– Firstly, this feature is a new universal marker of stem cancer cells and allows you to track the effectiveness of the treatment. In other words, we were able to track whether all such cells were destroyed. If the answer is negative, it is too early to talk about a cure, since there is a danger of the disease developing again. But that's not all. The second important consequence is the possibility, using this property, to carry out targeted (targeted) effects on stem cells as the cause of the disease. And we have developed a strategy for such treatment.

Scientists were able to establish that DNA fragments that got into a cancer stem cell after a certain time interval after exposure to cytostatics (used in chemotherapy) do not allow the cell to complete the recovery process, and it dies. Based on this interaction, a strategy for the treatment of laboratory mice from Krebs-2 ascitic tumor was built. Usually this disease leads to the inevitable death of animals within two weeks. However, scientists managed to completely cure 50% of mice, and some gave healthy offspring afterwards.

Experiments with colonies of human cells affected by glioblastoma (it was this type of cancer that caused the death of Jeanne Friske) also gave positive results. A new treatment strategy based on the discovered natural mechanism of absorption of DNA fragments by cells can be applied to most types of cancerous tumors. However, in each case it is necessary to develop its own treatment regulations (in some cases for groups of patients, in others – individual). However, the results obtained already allow researchers of the FITZ ICiG SB RAS to say that new horizons have appeared in the treatment of oncological diseases.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  25.01.2017