Scientists find cancer relapse mechanism

Cancer Research UK, a charity funded by private donations, says Chinese researchers have found that cancerous cells can regenerate long after  normal ones have been irrevocably damaged by apoptosis.

Research published in the British Journal of Cancer by scientists at the  University of Hong Kong details studies in which human cervical, skin,  liver and breast cancer cells were treated with three distinct chemicals  that cause apoptosis- jasplakinolide, staurosporine and ethanol.

Once the cells had been treated beyond the point at which normal ones  would be unable to heal from the damage caused by the agents, they were  removed. However, the cancerous cells were able to regain their shape,  function and ability to divide. Only once the nucleus of the cancerous  cells had begun to disintegrate was apoptosis assured.