Written By: IJCP Editorial Team

Published On: 13 Mar, 2023 4:07 PM | Updated On: 20 May, 2024 10:05 PM

Why Tumors Become Resistant To Chemotherapy: Unveiling The Fact

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research has unveiled a groundbreaking discovery - a powerful new weapon in the battle against cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. Revealing the secret behind why some tumor cells can withstand the effects of chemotherapy, this pioneering research promises to revolutionize the approach to treatment. "By harnessing the ability of cancer cells to respond randomly to chemotherapy, we may unlock the key to overcoming tumor cell resistance and, ultimately, pave the way to a new era of cancer treatment," says Associate Professor David Croucher, Head of the Network Biology Lab at Garvan.

The study conducted by the esteemed Network Biology Lab revealed that tumor cells from neuroblastoma, a form of cancer originating in the sympathetic nervous system, can transition between states of chemoresistance and chemosensitivity. This inherent 'noise' in the gene expression process of cell death has been identified as a critical factor in determining how successful chemotherapy treatments are. Unfortunately, it has been discovered that about 15% of people with neuroblastoma are resistant to these treatments. 

According to Dr. Sharissa Latham, co-lead author of the study, "This revolutionary research provides invaluable insight into the complex nature of cancer. It gives a greater understanding of the intricate mechanisms that must be addressed to develop more effective treatments for patients living with this insidious disease."

The findings of Dr. Sharissa Latham and Associate Professor Croucher have illuminated a new, revolutionary approach to treating cancer; one that, instead of waiting until all other treatments have been exhausted, strikes while the iron is hot and utilizes both chemotherapy and drugs targeting the noise within tumors as a first-line treatment after diagnosis. This discovery has the potential to save countless lives and offer unparalleled hope to those afflicted with the disease.