Scientists Disable Cancer Cells’ “Superpower” in Novel Treatment Approach

Scientists Disable Cancer Cells’ “Superpower” in Novel Treatment Approach
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In a new approach to cancer treatment, scientists at Northwestern University have developed a strategy that doesn’t directly kill tumors but instead targets the cancer cells’ ability to adapt and resist drugs. As reported by SciTech Daily, this method essentially “strips cancer of its superpower” by making it more vulnerable to existing treatments.

The research, led by Vadim Backman, focuses on the structural organization of chromatin—the complex of DNA, RNA, and proteins—which governs a cancer cell’s adaptability. By identifying and modulating this structure, the team found a way to prevent cancer cells from evolving to evade therapy.

In experiments on both cell cultures and mouse models of human ovarian cancer, the researchers used an FDA-approved anti-inflammatory drug, celecoxib, to alter the chromatin structure. When combined with traditional chemotherapy (paclitaxel), this approach significantly increased the number of cancer cells that died and improved the inhibition of tumor growth compared to chemotherapy alone. This strategy could potentially allow for lower, yet still effective, doses of chemotherapy, thereby reducing severe side effects for patients.