Scientists have found a way to make cancer cells self-destruct
Researchers have developed a new compound that can make cancer cells self-destruct. This compound consists of two proteins that scientists have combined together.
Here's What We Know
One of the proteins, BCL6, normally promotes blood cancers by suppressing the genes responsible for apoptosis, the process by which cells initiate their own death. However, when BCL6 was linked to another protein, CDK9, it activated apoptosis genes, causing the cancer cells to self-destruct. This method could revolutionise cancer treatment as it allows targeted destruction of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.
Scientists are currently testing the new compound on mice with diffuse large cell lymphoma to assess its effectiveness in vivo. If the results are positive, it could lead to significant breakthroughs in the field of oncology.
Source: Science