Unique miniature model could help reduce tongue cancer relapse

Tiny versions of lab-made tumors have marked a significant breakthrough in understanding the complexities of tongue cancer, as to why some cancers survive chemotherapy while others don't. Scientists have created these miniature models from real patient samples.

Post chemotherapy, some cancer cells go into deep sleep. During this dormant phase, they activate internal survival systems which explains why cancer recurs in some cases. Now, scientists have found a way to counter this possibility by blocking specific cellular pathways and make resistant cancer cells respond to chemotherapy once again.

This is indeed a landmark discovery as doctors would now be able to study the mini-tumor models, test different treatment combinations, and choose the most effective approach for each patient among the thousands of oral cancer cases diagnosed every year.

Since this breakthrough can help them with a preview of how the cancer will respond before treating the actual patient, it has paved the way for creating new combination therapies with lasting outcomes and lower possibility of cancer recurrence.

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