Hemostasis Today
NewsFeed
Headlines Hematology Health Medicine VTE ASH Plasma Donation
April, 2026
April 2026
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak: A New Strategy to Reprogram Cancer Cells Instead of Killing Them
Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak/LinkedIn
Mar 5, 2026, 14:47

Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak: A New Strategy to Reprogram Cancer Cells Instead of Killing Them

Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak, Professor at GKM College of Engineering Technology, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Scientists at KAIST have identified three genetic switches – MYB, HDAC2, and FOXA2 – that keep cancer cells, specifically colon cancer cells, in a malignant state.

By inhibiting these genes, they’ve successfully reprogrammed cancer cells to behave like normal, healthy cells.

This breakthrough could lead to a new approach in cancer treatment, focusing on reprogramming rather than killing cancer cells.

Some key points about this research:

  • MYB: Often overactive in colon and blood cancers, promoting growth and preventing cell maturation.
  • HDAC2: Helps cancer cells survive by shutting down protective genes.
  • FOXA2: Plays complex roles in cell development and cancer growth.

The researchers used a computational model called BENEIN to identify these genetic switches and achieved promising results in lab and animal studies.

This research could lead to:

  • Targeted therapies: Developing treatments that reprogram cancer cells to behave normally, reducing harm to healthy cells.
  • Personalized medicine: Identifying specific genetic switches in individual patients’ cancers to tailor treatments.
  • Combination therapies: Using reprogramming approaches alongside existing treatments like chemotherapy.
  • Cancer prevention: Potentially preventing cancer progression in high-risk individuals.

The BENEIN model could also be applied to other cancer types, making it a valuable tool.

Some challenges:

  • Specificity: Ensuring treatments target cancer cells only, avoiding off-target effects.
  • Delivery: Effectively delivering therapies to all cancer cells, especially in solid tumors.
  • Resistance: Cancer cells might develop resistance to reprogramming.
  • Long-term efficacy: Ensuring reprogrammed cells remain healthy long-term.
  • Complexity: Cancer involves multiple pathways; targeting three switches might not be enough.

Translating lab findings to human treatments will require careful clinical trials.”

KAIST

Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.

BENEIN Cancer treatment FOXA2 GKM College of Engineering Technology HDAC2 Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today KAIST Medicine Mohamed Sikkander Abdul Razak MYB
NewsFeed