Trinity College Dublin team reveals how cancer cells survive chemotherapy in zombie state
Start here
A Trinity College Dublin team reports in Science Advances that inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) neutralize death receptors activated by chemotherapy. This allows cancer cells to escape death and enter a premature senescence state, described as zombie-like, in which they stop dividing but remain metabolically active and recruit immune cells that support tumor recovery. The finding identifies a mechanism by which tumors evade chemotherapy and rebound after treatment. In laboratory work, IAP antagonists selectively cleared these senescent cells, pointing to a possible combination strategy in which such drugs are paired with chemotherapy to remove the surviving zombie population. The study is published under DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aed4541. Clinical testing of this approach in patients has not yet been reported.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 2 hours ago
Coverage timeline
Follow the coverage to see the different angles.
- medicalxpress.comHow cancers evade chemotherapy by entering a 'zombie-like state'
A Trinity College Dublin team reports in Science Advances that inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) neutralize death receptors activated by chemotherapy, driving cancer cells into a premature senescence "zombie state" and recruiting immune cells that aid tumor recovery; IAP antagonists can selectively clear these senescent cells (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aed4541).
Heat trend for this story
Heat now 6·Peak in the comparable set 10 (Oct 23 23:00)·Change over 24h in the comparable set –·Participants now 1
Participants counted above, heat below. The trend compares only the participants observed in full throughout, so its set can be smaller than the heat figure itself. Move the pointer or click the chart for an hour's reading; the left and right arrow keys work too.