GIDDYUP!
Posted on 08/13/2009 9:51:56 AM PDT by Steelfish
Breakthrough found to kill cancer spread
Scientists have discovered a chemical that can kill the breast cancer cells which cause the tumours to spread and return after seemingly successful treatment, it has emerged.
By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor 13 Aug 2009
The findings could pave the way for a treatment that could kill cancer stem cells without harming other cells in the body.
Researchers found that salinomycin, a compound which is used as an antibacterial and anti parasitite drug to fatten broiler chickens, killed 100 times more cancer cells than a standard chemotherapy drug.
The cancer stem cells are also thought to be responsible for cancers returning, sometimes several years after initial successful treatment to clear the tumours.
Eric Lander, Director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and an author of the paper said: "Many therapies kill the bulk of a tumour only to see it regrow.
"This raises the prospect of new kinds of anti-cancer therapies."
Dr John Stingl group leader in mammary stem cell biology at Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute said: "This is one of the biggest advances we have seen this year in this area of research.
These scientists have demonstrated that it's possible to selectively target the rare cancer stem cells that drive tumour growth.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Good News!
fantastic news!
GIDDYUP!
Good for chickens and breasts.
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