Trying to cure cancer is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve seen and heard countless stories of people who have seemingly been cured, only for the disease to return. We’ve also seen cases of people who have made full recoveries, and we’ve also heard about certain types of cancers that are more lethal than others.
Basically, it feels like there is still a lot that we can learn in order to beat it, and now thanks to researchers from the University of British Columbia, we might have discovered something new that could aid us in that battle. According to the researchers, they claim to have discovered what some might call the Achilles Heel of cancer.
During their research, they found an enzyme that actually helps fuel the growth of a tumor especially when oxygen levels are low. The protein, dubbed CAIX (Carbonic Anhydrase IX), is what allows cancerous cells to adapt itself to treatments and spread throughout the patient’s body. It sounds bad, but at the same time it’s a good thing because the researchers believe that by blocking the production of CAIX in the body, it might result in the growth of the tumor being slowed or even halted.
The researchers have since identified a compound known as SLC-0111 that has inhibiting properties. Experiments on mice have shown that it is effective at treating certain types of cancers, but the downside is that the compound was said to have attacked both healthy and cancerous cells and produced unpleasant side effects.
However, the researchers are optimistic that with this new discovery, it could lead to the development and production of drugs that will help in the battle against cancer.
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