Cancer cells self-destruct from within.

Scientists activate a hidden poison exon to make cancer cells self-destruct from within.

Researchers uncovered a “kill switch” inside a gene regulator called TRA2β that, when reactivated, forces cancer cells to self-destruct. In aggressive cancers like breast, brain, and colon, TRA2β goes into overdrive, helping tumors grow and resist treatment by ignoring a special RNA segment called a poison exon that normally destroys it.

Scientists used tiny molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to flip this switch back on, stopping cancer cells from multiplying without harming healthy ones—showing promise for targeted, less toxic therapies across many cancer types.
RESEARCH PAPER 📄
PMID: 39955311

Doctor Asky

Yes, under certain conditions, cancer cells can self-destruct, for example by activating the cell's own innate "suicide mechanism," or by having its own immune system identify and attack the diseased cells, which a recent study showed may be a mechanism by which the tumor "sows the seeds of its own demise." Some cancer cells can also die through "mitotic catastrophe" when they attempt to divide with damaged DNA and collapse, a process that can be triggered by chemotherapy or radiation.

The role of the immune system: Research has shown that the patient's own immune system can attack cancer cells. Studies suggest that tumors can secrete molecules that activate the body's own immune system, or that the immune system can be "tricked" into not attacking the cancer. The goal is to understand and exploit these mechanisms to strengthen the immune system and make it effectively kill cancer cells.

Mitotic catastrophe: When a cancer cell suffers DNA damage, such as from radiation or chemotherapy, it may try to divide but fail and collapse. This type of cell death, known as mitotic catastrophe, may be a way for the cell to "self-destruct.

Autophagy: There are studies exploring whether cancer cells can be forced into autophagy, a process in which the cell clears out and recycles parts of itself. The hope is to activate autophagy in cancer cells so that they will self-destruct.

"Stressed" cancer cells: Inside a tumor, an inhospitable environment arises with a lack of oxygen and nutrients, which can cause some cells to die. However, those that survive and adapt become "stressed" and extra dangerous, aggressive and resistant to standard treatment. Research is now focusing on finding new methods to attack these stressed cells.

Research in this area is ongoing and aims to find new treatments that can activate these "self-destruction mechanisms" to fight cancer.

A relevant comment

I keep hearing ab all these incredible break throughs but people still don't have access. Im sure there are people who would be willing to be test subjects instead of being told they are out of options. These trials need to be more accessible and given as an option to patients.

They told my grandmother she has cancer and only gave her two options before sending her home. Hospice or chemo. Why, with all these new break throughs, are going for trails not an option? Why are they not discussed more? How do we find out who to go to and where to find these trials and offer to be a lab rat? It's certainly better than the alternative.

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