Cancer cells programmed back to normal by US scientists

[KamaAina]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11821334/Cancer-cells-programmed-back-to-normal-by-US-scientists.html

Cancer cells have been programmed back to normal by scientists in a breakthrough which could lead to new treatments and even reverse tumour growth.

For the first time aggressive breast, lung and bladder cancer cells have been turned back into harmless benign cells by restoring the function which prevents them from multiplying excessively and forming dangerous growths....

So far it has only been tested on human cells in the lab, but the researchers are hopeful that the technique could one day be used to target tumours so that cancer could be ‘switched off’ without the need for harsh chemotherapy or surgery.

"We should be able to re-establish the brakes and restore normal cell function,” said Profesor Panos Anastasiadis, of the Department for Cancer Biology.

[hifiguy]

1. "The most wonderful thing about science is

that it works whether you believe in it or not." - Neil deGrasse Tyson.

[rurallib]

2. let's hope Jimmy Carter gets to try it

if anyone deserves to have a cancer stalled it is Jimmy.

ETA - thanks so much for posting this.

[navarth]

8. boy is that ever true. nt

[Dont call me Shirley]

3. That is wonderful. The pharmaceutical cos won't approve of that.

[JDPriestly]

4. K&R.

[C Moon]

5. Wowzers!!!

[appalachiablue]

7. K & R. Thanks, wonderful!

[Botany]

9. awesome

[Chemisse]

10. It's likely just a part of the puzzle.

Cancers form after a series of mutations, not just one. That's why cancer is likely to form where there is chronic inflammation and cell proliferation.

From the article, “I think in reality it is unlikely that you could reverse tumours by reversing just one mechanism, but it’s a very interesting finding.”

[glinda]

11. I am sure there are humans that would step up for testing.....

wish this had been around when my dad found out last year.....

[Lorien]

12. It sounds great, but there is a new "cure for cancer" every year

if not multiple discoveries, but none of them *ever* see the light of day. I've lost my pets, friends and family members to that horrible disease and I desperately wish that big pharma would "allow" a cure to be fully developed, but it won't happen until we can upend the entire system.

[Glassunion]

14. My FIL is still alive and kicking because of breakthroughs

The problem with cancer is that it is unique for almost every person diagnosed. Treatment for patient A, may not work for patient B.

He was lucky enough to to be diagnosed early, and have a doc who is at the top of her game. 10 years ago, to be diagnosed with 3 different cancers could be a death sentence. But between surgical removal of one cancer, radiation on another, and a stem cell treatment on the last, he is fully in remission.

[lonestarnot]

13. Programmed cells, turned back into, teeth buds growing teeth, must be a parallel universe.