Japan announces new breakthrough to help destroy many types of cancer

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found a new direction in the fight against cancer using artificial DNA.

According to SciTech Daily, in laboratory research steps, the new method of the Japanese author group has helped destroy cervical cancer and breast cancer cells extremely successfully.

Specifically, scientists have created a type of chemically synthesized artificial DNA, shaped like hairpins. They will attach to the micro RNA (miRNA) molecules miR-21 , a type of miRNA that is overproduced in the patient's body in some types of cancer.

Graphic depicting how artificial DNA attacks cancer - (Photo: SCITECH DAILY)

The artificial DNA pairs, once attached to the miRNA, will separate and combine, forming a longer DNA chain and triggering a much stronger immune response than the natural response.

Thus, the synthetic DNA will act as an immunotherapy-based cancer treatment. It does not directly attack the diseased cells but helps the patient's immune system to strengthen itself to a level that prevents the development of the disease.

Cancer treatment based on immunotherapy is a trend that has been strongly developed in recent years because it is powerful and sustainable through taking advantage of the human immune system, and often has fewer side effects than classical methods.

The new approach through artificial DNA is considered to be innovative and different from traditional cancer drug treatments, promising to open a new era in cancer drug development.

"We thought that if we could create new drugs that work by a different mechanism from how conventional drugs work, they might be effective against forms of cancer that have so far been untreatable," explained Associate Professor Akimitsu Okamoto, one of the study's lead authors.

In research, some of the most aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer, have been killed by this breakthrough method.

The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.