Cancer cells alter biological clock

Oncologists excited at the new findings of the study

Cancer cells have developed the ability to use the unfolded protein response (UPR) to slow protein synthesis to survive in conditions that would kill the normal cells, according to a recent study published in Nature Cell Biology.

This has got researchers and oncologists excited as the study found that the cancer cells use the biological clock of the body to alter the rhythm. This is a significant finding as it will pave way to understand the manner in which biological clock is used by cancer cells.

Doctors have to look at the therapy time to ensure that the cancer cells are killed and not the normal cells.

The study has found that cancer cells are not using large amounts of nucleic acids and protein to replicate and spread. Instead they are developing the capability to use the unfolded protein response and handling the backlog of misfolded proteins which are helping them to survive and to kill the normal cells.

Dr Srinivas C, a senior oncologist, said, “The role of biological clock plays an important role in understanding cancer. The manner in which the cancer cells have been able to survive longer means that they have started using the body systems to their benefit. This will require further exploration but it also means that in terms of treatment options we have to look at drugs which must not become food for the cells.”

Boosting of the tumour via food and drug inputs shows that there are chances where the chemotherapy drugs instead of killing the cells are being used to form another set of tumours in the body.

A senior doctor, on condition of anonymity, said, “We need to look at a complete shift in our treatment process and also make it affordable. Currently, the cost factor is not allowing better treatment options. Given the increasing incidences, we need to opt for a treatment which will ensure better quality for maximum patients.”

The role of biological clock plays an important role in understanding cancer. The manner in which the cancer cells have been able to survive longer means that they have started using the body systems to their benefit. This will require further exploration but it also means that in terms of treatment options we have to look at drugs which must not become food for the cells. — DR SRINIVAS C ,

a senior oncologist