Linda at seven
There can’t
be too many ways to kill cancer cells.
You are familiar with the term “apoptosis”,
which is short for “programed cell death”.
Apoptosis is applied to old, sick, or damaged cells; sort of the
cellular equivalent of “put grandpaw on an ice flow and shove him out to sea”. It has never been clear to me what determines
which cells get “apoped”. It’s almost
like they make the decision themselves; grumble to themselves “I’m useless. Time to go”. So, as to cancer therapy, the
game would seem to be to convince cancerous cells that they are useless. Or, of course, just kill them outright.
Well, there
seems to be another way for cells to die:
“necroptosis”. In necroptosis the
cell doesn’t die a quiet, peaceful death; rather, somehow, it is blown to smithereens. Viruses are involved. Many mice have benefited by being
necropted. Research is underway to
understand necroptosis and weaponized it in the battle against cancer.
To tell the
honest truth, I don’t completely understand this article. Maybe you will.
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