Why Some Cancer Cells Are Resistant To Treatment

Researchers have been examining how some types of cancer stem cells remain viable in low oxygen conditions. Under such conditions most cells cannot thrive. The matter is of medical concern, since these survivor cells seem more resistant to chemotherapy. Furthermore, it is thought that the ability of the cells to survive low oxygen conditions helps them to spread. According to scientists at The Johns Hopkins University, finding a weak spit with these cells is key to tackling certain types of breast cancer.

New research reveals that the low-oxygen conditions (less than 1 percent oxygen) within which the cells can function helps to trigger faster growth through certain biochemical processes. These processes are seen as similar to the ones that allow embryonic stem cells to thrive. Pinpointing this biochemical path with the cancer could be the means for killing them.

For more on this, see: cancer cells