On December 20, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced a groundbreaking technology developed by a research team led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering. This technology aims to transform cancer cells without destroying them, reverting colon cells back to their normal state and potentially eliminating severe side effects in the process.

Advancements have been made in various cancer treatment technologies, but most treatments still focus on destroying cancerous cells. However, this method has its limitations, as cancer cells can develop resistance, and healthy cells can also be destroyed in the process.

The research team at KAIST has developed a technology that transforms cancer cells rather than destroying them. This approach aims to restore colon cells to their normal state, thereby avoiding severe side effects commonly associated with conventional cancer treatments.

Human bodies are made up of numerous small cells, which die after a certain period and are replaced by new cells. These cells divide in a controlled manner to create new cells. However, in cancer, this process of cell division becomes uncontrolled.

The research team observed that in the process of oncogenesis (the formation of cancer), normal cells deviate from their regular pattern of change. In other words, these cells start to behave uncontrollably, leading to the initiation of cancer. Based on this observation, they created a “digital t win,” which is a digital copy of the genetic network related to normal cell division.

This digital twin is essentially a virtual model or simulation that helps researchers understand the process of cell transformation in detail. By analyzing this simulation, the researchers identified key molecular switches that regulate the normal transformation of cells. They then applied these molecular switches to colon cancer cells and successfully reverted them to a normal-like state.

The results were confirmed through molecular and cellular tests as well as animal studies. This research demonstrates that through digital twin analysis of the genetic network of cancer cells, it is possible to gradually revert cancer cells to their normal state. This discovery is expected to bring revolutionary changes to cancer treatment and could be applied in treating various types of cancer.

Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho stated, “Turning cancer cells back into normal cells is an astonishing event. This research proves that it is possible to gradually transform cancer cells into normal cells.”

This breakthrough has the potential to change the landscape of cancer treatment, offering a new path forward that focuses on reversing the cancerous transformation rather than merely destroying the cancer cells.