Drugs Previously Thought to Be Toxic May Stop Spread of Cancer
Updated: 2012-03-30 23:52:13
Health News Drugs Previously Thought to Be Toxic May Stop Spread of Cancer Print E-mail FRIDAY , March 30 HealthDay News Two drugs previously thought to be too toxic for human cancer treatment may stop the growth of cancer cells without killing healthy cells and damaging DNA when used in small doses , researchers have . found Unlike conventional chemotherapy drugs , which poison and kill any rapidly dividing cells by damaging cellular machinery and DNA , these drugs azacitidine AZA and decitabine DAC specifically target cancer stem cells , which cause cancer to spread and are resistant to most . drugs Low doses of AZA and DAC may reactivate genes that stop cancer growth without causing immediate cell killing or DNA damage , Dr . Stephen Baylin , a professor of oncology and deputy director