A cure for cancer has been found in space as Californian researchers team up with astronauts to combat the disease.
Scientists have been interested in the weak pull of gravity in space.
The phenomenon, known as microgravity causes cells to age more rapidly after placing them under incredible stress.
It would enable scientists to witness the progression of cancer growth more rapidly than compared to Earth.
An image of a scientist pipetting sample
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The Axiom 3 spaceflight launched from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral on January 18 carried with it cancer cells grown in the lab by scientists at the University of California, San Diego.
Dr Catriona HM Jamieson, who previously sent samples into space, said: “We said, ‘Wait, what if you send cancer up?’
“‘Will the cancer go from bad to worse?’ And the answer is yes, under conditions of stress [caused by microgravity].”
Previous missions saw teams notice mini tumours sent to space activated the gene before tripling in size in just 10 days.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with its Crew Dragon capsule launches from pad LC-39A during Axiom Mission Three (Ax-3) at the Kennedy Space Center
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A much faster rate of growth is experienced compared to back on Earth.
Further testing revealed that ADAR1 “proliferated wildly” in the space tumours as they grew with disturbing, unchecked rapidity.
Drugs included the FDA-approved fedratinib which is used for the treatment of blood cancers.
Jamieson’s team also began developing an experimental drug called rebecsinib which blocks ADAR1 activation in a different way.
An image of cancer cells
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It also prevents it from spawning malignant proteins.
Speaking about rebecsinib, Jamieson said: “It’s basically preventing this breast cancer from cloning itself.”
She also claimed it could become a “kill switch for cancer”.
Jamieson’s team is hoping to launch the drug into clinical trials on Earth by the end of the year.
She added: “We’re not slowing down. When we see data like this, we think it’s our responsibility to get this to clinic.”