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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

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