“Monstrous” Discovery: Scientists Identify Key to Stopping Cancer Recurrence

Scientists have discovered that polyploid giant cancer cells, which are monstrously oversized and contain multiple nuclei, may be responsible for disease recurrence after cancer therapy.

Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have made a breakthrough that may reveal why cancer sometimes returns in patients who have received chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Both forms of therapy aim to stress cancer cells into self-destruction. However, these treatments often lack long-term effectiveness because cancer cells can adapt to the stress, escape, and enable the tumor to rebound after a a short time.