# Korean Scientists Develop Groundbreaking Cancer Treatment Reprogramming Colon Cancer Cells

> Scientists at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho, have developed an innovative cancer treatment that reprograms colon cancer cells to function like normal cel…

Published: 2026-09-21 · Desk: Latest · Source: News Medical

Despite the advancement of various cancer treatment methods, most current therapies aim to eliminate cancer cells. However, this approach has notable limitations, such as cancer cells developing resistance and returning, alongside significant side effects from destroying healthy cells.

On December 20th, KAIST (under the leadership of President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced that a research team, led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho from the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, has developed a groundbreaking technology for treating colon cancer. Instead of killing cancer cells, this method transforms them into a state resembling normal colon cells, avoiding the common side effects associated with traditional treatments.

The team’s research was based on the observation that during cancer development, normal cells revert along their differentiation path. Building on this concept, they created a digital model of the gene network involved in the differentiation of normal cells. Through simulation analysis, the researchers identified key molecular switches that could induce the differentiation of cancer cells. By applying these switches to colon cancer cells, the cells reverted to a normal-like state, a finding confirmed through molecular, cellular, and animal studies.

This research demonstrates that reprogramming cancer cells to revert to normal cells can be achieved through a systematic analysis of the gene networks, rather than relying on random discoveries. The results show promise for developing reversible cancer therapies that could be applied to various cancers. Professor Cho emphasized that this approach introduces a novel concept of reversible cancer therapy, with the ability to return cancer cells to their normal state. It also lays the groundwork for identifying potential targets for cancer reversion by systematically analyzing normal cell differentiation.

The research, which involved contributions from Jeong-Ryeol Gong, Chun-Kyung Lee, Hoon-Min Kim, Juhee Kim, and Jaeog Jeon, was published in the online edition of the Advanced Science journal on December 11. The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea through their Mid-Career Researcher Program and Basic Research Laboratory Program. The findings have been transferred to BioRevert Inc., where they will aid in developing practical cancer reversion therapies.

Original reporting: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241223/Groundbreaking-technology-converts-cancer-cells-into-normal-cells.aspx
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