Dead cells can trigger cancer

Hyderabad: A study has revealed that dead and dying cancer cells can trigger inflammation and promote cancer growth, which is why current forms of treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy, can sometimes lead to the aggressive growth of secondary tumours.

According to the study, which has been published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, the manner in which cells are killed leads to the accumulation of cancerous cell debris in the body, and this debris is capable of stimulating the growth of secondary tumours.

Dr G.S. Raju, a senior oncologist, says, “Our assessment has shown that secondary tumours are very aggressive. Recent studies highlight the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation, but these remain the main first line of treatment.”

Researchers say that conventional forms of therapy have proven to be a double-edged sword. Meanwhile, new treatment regimes, such as immunotherapy, are not as widely used due to their prohibitive costs.

A senior oncologist, on condition of anonymity, said, “In India, an integrated approach is adopted for the treatment of cancer. Apart from modern medicine, therapies like yoga are added to the list of regimes for patient care, as they have been found to have a positive impact. These observations are being documented to understand how these therapies contribute to the patients’ quality of life, and whether they can help deal with secondary tumours.”