Scientists from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (USA) have discovered that polyploid giant multinucleated cancer cells can cause cancer recurrence. Research results published In Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC).
Scientists announced that polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) can adapt to and survive treatment. Their feature is their large size and the presence of several nuclei. The nucleus is an important component of the cell, disruption of its functions will inevitably lead to dysfunction. According to researchers, giant cancer cells can form a kind of “colony” by producing daughter cells. Such features are a potential cause of cancer metastasis.
In a laboratory experiment, PGCC cells were exposed to a specific inhibitory drug. Scientists discovered that polyploid giant cells are not destroyed, but rather the creation of smaller cells is stopped. The researchers also noticed that daughter PGCC cells continued to divide, mimicking the tumor recurrence some patients experience after treatment.
Experts explained that the PGCC inhibitor drug prevents them from turning into mononuclear cancer cells capable of division. This is due to the drug’s ability to block the activity of the p21 protein. Normally, it prevents damaged DNA from replicating, but in cancer, the protein promotes the transformation of ordinary cancer cells into multinucleated giant cells.
Scientists hope that their discoveries will form the basis for the development of new methods to prevent cancer recurrence. They now plan to continue research to find better combination treatments.
Previously discovered previously unknown cells associated with cancer metastasis.
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Source: Gazeta
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