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Cancer cells are known for spreading genetic chaos. As cancer cells divide, DNA segments and even whole chromosomes can be duplicated, mutated, or lost altogether. This is called chromosomal instability, and scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering have learned that it is associated with cancer s aggressiveness. The more unstable chromosomes are, the more likely that bits of DNA from these chromosomes will end up where they don t belong: outside of a cell s central nucleus and floating in the cytoplasm.
Cells interpret these rogue bits of DNA as evidence of viral invaders, which sets off their internal alarm bells and leads to inflammation. Immune cells travel to the site of the tumor and churn out defensive chemicals. A mystery has been why this immune reaction, triggered by the cancer cells, does not spell their downfall.
NI dad on how he is fighting back from rare bone marrow cancer
Richie Sheerin has helped organise a virtual charity cycle on Zwift this Sunday, December 13, and hopes to raise money for Friends of the Cancer Centre and the Irish Cancer Society
Richie Sheerin with wife Lisa, their son Aedan and dog Lucy last Christmas
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