Researchers from China and the United States have identified a specific group of tumor cells that play a central role in the growth and spread of lung cancer.
According to Xinhua News, the findings were published this week in the journal Nature. The study was led by teams from Huazhong Agricultural University in China and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
The researchers tracked tumor cells in mouse models using a genetic system that allowed real-time monitoring and selective removal of cells. This helped them identify a group known as high plasticity cell state, or HPCS.
These cells act as a control center inside tumors. They guide cancer development, allow cells to shift between different states, and help tumors adapt to treatment.
The study found that removing HPCS cells at an early stage stopped tumors from becoming malignant. In advanced cancers, targeting these cells slowed tumor growth.
Eliminating HPCS cells also reduced resistance to chemotherapy and targeted drugs. When combined with standard treatments, tumors were almost completely cleared in laboratory models.
Researchers said the approach could lead to new cancer therapies that limit drug resistance and lower the risk of cancer returning. Further studies are expected to explore its use in other cancer types.
