Here are the three most promising breakthroughs in cancer research

Researchers in medical science

Jayla Barnsen — The Canadian Cancer Society reports that despite the advancements made in modern medicine, cancer remains the most common cause of death in the country. Approximately 200 citizens succumb to some type of the disease every year. Researchers continue discovering methods of treatment and strive to reduce mortality rates. In the last year, scientists made some amazing breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.

Deadly cancer decoded

The BC Cancer Agency recently published a study that indicates that a group of 58 researchers discovered previously unknown characteristics of triple negative breast cancers. This lethal form of tumor accounts for 25 percent of all breast cancer deaths. The category of tumors acquired the name because they lack three receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and herceptin. Without hormone or protein receptors, treatment options for this type of cancer remain limited. After evaluating hundreds of TNBC tumors, scientists discovered through genetic sequencing, that the growths differ greatly with respect to the numbers and types of mutations they contain. Equipped with this information, researchers may more appropriately devise treatment methods for individual tumors.

Increasing the longevity of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patients

Physicians originally treated Hodgkin’s patients with radiation therapy. Years later, treatment modalities evolved to include chemotherapy. While the combination therapy relinquishes the disease process quickly, studies indicate that radiation often causes a number of long-term problems that include the development of other cancers or cardiovascular disease. Besides eradicating the disease, physicians additionally hope to increase the longevity and quality of patients’ lives. The recent research followed Hodgkin’s patients for over a decade and shows that treating the disease with chemotherapy alone not only eliminates the disease, but also decreases the death rate. As individuals do not suffer the long-term effects that often accompany radiation therapy, patients lived longer.

Drugs that affect only cancer cells

Chemotherapy and radiation remain the most common treatment methods used for ridding the body of cancer. Unfortunately, these therapies cause horrendous side effects and damage healthy and malignant cells. For almost two decades, researchers evaluated the possibility that cancers develop in the body’s stem cells. Since the original 1997 study, scientists identified suspect stem cells in numerous cancers that include those that manifest in the blood, brain, gastrointestinal tract, and ovaries. Researchers also continually evaluate the effectiveness of various medications in battle against cancerous cells. Recently, Canadian scientists discovered that the psychiatric medication known as thioridazine converts cancerous stem cells into a non-malignant state. The medication also does not affect normal stem cells.

Cancer is far from being completely curable, but continuing advancements cast hope on the possibility that cures are forthcoming.

About the Author

Jayla Barnsen is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon. Jayla spends her spare time hiking in Oregon's many National Parks. She frequents business tech blogs and also loves writing about food and wine.