Reversibility of Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Tang H L, Yuen K L, Tang H M, Fung M C
Primary Institution: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hypothesis
Can cancer cells survive after the initiation of apoptosis?
Conclusion
Cancer cells can survive after the initiation of apoptosis, revealing a potential escape mechanism from chemotherapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Cancer cells can regain normal morphology and proliferate after removal of apoptotic inducers.
- Reversibility of apoptosis was observed in various cancer cell lines.
- 96% of cells displayed apoptotic features after induction, but 92% regained normal morphology after washing.
Takeaway
This study shows that cancer cells can come back to life even after they start to die, which is surprising and could help us understand how to treat cancer better.
Methodology
The study involved culturing various cancer cell lines and exposing them to apoptotic inducers, followed by observing their morphological and biochemical changes.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on specific cancer cell lines and may not represent all cancer types.
Participant Demographics
Human cancer cell lines including HeLa, A375, HepG2, MCF7, and PC3.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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