Cell reprogramming in cancer: Interplay of genetic, epigenetic mechanisms, and the tumor microenvironment in carcinogenesis and metastasis

Core Tip

Core Tip: The idea of deregulated cell plasticity being considered a hallmark of cancer emphasizes the adaptive nature of tumors, their ability to evade homeostatic regulation, and their capacity for resilience in the face of therapeutic intervention. Understanding the cell reprogramming mechanisms that drive this plasticity could ultimately lead to the development of more effective therapies that target these adaptive processes and prevent the tumor from exploiting its ability to continuously evolve and resist treatment. Google’s AlphaFold represents a game-changer in chemotherapy drug discovery by providing a fast and accurate method to predict protein structures, enabling researchers to identify new drug targets, design better molecules, and understand the complex biology of cancer at a level of detail that was previously unattainable. By integrating next-generation sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing, artificial intelligence-driven deep learning models, and AlphaFold’s predictions with experimental data and existing drug discovery techniques, we could see faster development of more effective, specific, chemotherapy agents in the future. By merging these technologies, precise, durable, and truly personalized cancer therapy could become a clinical reality, revolutionizing the way we approach cancer treatment.