A major concern in cancer treatment is the tendency of some cancer cells becoming resistant to radiation therapy. Indian scientists have now deciphered how such resistance develops in cervical cancer cells, and claim that these cells can be made sensitive to radiation if treated with curcumin – a compound found in turmeric.
Cancer cells as well as tumors harbour a small population of stem cells which become resistant to drugs and radiation treatment. That is why, even after most cancer cells get killed with treatment, these cells continue to grow and cause lesions which could make cancer reappear over time.
Earlier research had suggested pivotal role of a human protein, AP-1, in development of resistance to radiation in various cancers, but how it happens was not known. The new study delineates the exact mechanism of resistance in cells from cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma Virus. Researchers feel the mechanism could be similar in other cancers as well.
“We have identified a target for effective cancer therapy and it could allow recurrence-free survival of cancer patients in future,” said Professor Bhudev C Das, one of the lead researchers of the study published in journal Scientific Reports.
The study builds upon earlier findings that pre-treatment with curcumin –…
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