Korean scientists have identified a molecular switch that could potentially transform cancer cells back into normal cells (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — Korean scientists have identified a molecular switch that could potentially transform cancer cells back into normal cells by capturing the critical transition moment when healthy cells become cancerous, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on February 5.
The research team, led by Cho Kwang-hyun from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, has demonstrated experimentally that cancer cells can be reverted to normal cells by analyzing the unstable state where normal and cancer cells coexist during a critical transition phase.
Current cancer treatments, which focus on destroying cancer cells, face fundamental limitations including cancer recurrence due to drug resistance and the destruction of healthy cells. The team had previously proposed a theoretical framework for reversible cancer treatment through digital twin modeling that could suppress cancer malignancy and restore cells to a normal-like state without side effects.
In this new study, researchers focused on the critical transition moment in cancer development – similar to how water suddenly vaporizes at 100 degrees Celsius. After such a transition, systems typically cannot return to their original state, and as they approach the critical point, they exist in an unstable state where old and new conditions coexist.
Using single-cell transcriptome data, the team identified key gene networks controlling the critical transition of normal cells. Through systems biology research, which combines IT-based mathematical modeling and computer simulation with biotechnology and molecular cell biology experiments, they discovered the molecular switch capable of reverting cancer cells to normal cells.
The researchers successfully validated their findings by applying the technique to colon cancer cells, demonstrating that these cells could recover characteristics of normal colon cells in molecular cellular experiments.
“We have proven that we can reverse the fate of cancer cells by capturing the critical transition moment just before normal cells transform irreversibly into cancer cells,” Cho explained.
The research findings were published in the online edition of the international journal “Advanced Science” on January 22.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
