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South African Scientists Discover Cancer's Most Effective Survival Strategy

OMGHive By OMGHive Editorial · June 19, 2026 · 9 min read · TRENDING
South African Scientists Discover Cancer's Most Effective Survival Strategy
🔗 Original source

A team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg has made a significant discovery in understanding how cancer cells survive and thrive in the human body. Specifically, they found that cancer cells exploit the epithelium, a defensive barrier that lines organs such as the breast, colon, and lungs. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes. The discovery highlights the complex relationship between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.

Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand Uncover Cancer's Secret Survival Strategy

According to an account by Professor Pamela Mukherjee, a co-author of the study, the team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. They found that cancer cells exploit the epithelium, a defensive barrier that lines organs such as the breast, colon, and lungs. The epithelium is composed of a layer of cells that work together to prevent the entry of pathogens and other foreign substances into the body. However, cancer cells have found a way to manipulate this system to their advantage, creating a 'safe haven' that allows them to survive and thrive. As Professor Mukherjee notes, 'The epithelium is a critical component of the immune system, and cancer cells have evolved to exploit this vulnerability to evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. For example, the study reveals that cancer cells use a specific type of cell signaling molecule, called a cytokine, to manipulate the epithelium and create a 'safe haven' for themselves. This is a critical finding, as it suggests that targeting these cytokines could be a potential strategy for treating cancer. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and are a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. The study's findings have important implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. For example, the study reveals that cancer cells use a specific type of cell signaling molecule, called a cytokine, to manipulate the epithelium and create a 'safe haven' for themselves. This is a critical finding, as it suggests that targeting these cytokines could be a potential strategy for treating cancer. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and are a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. According to Professor Mukherjee, 'The epithelium is a critical component of the immune system, and cancer cells have evolved to exploit this vulnerability to evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The study was funded by the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation. The study's findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. For example, the study reveals that cancer cells use a specific type of cell signaling molecule, called a cytokine, to manipulate the epithelium and create a 'safe haven' for themselves. This is a critical finding, as it suggests that targeting these cytokines could be a potential strategy for treating cancer. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and are a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. According to Professor Mukherjee, 'The epithelium is a critical component of the immune system, and cancer cells have evolved to exploit this vulnerability to evade detection and destruction.' The study was funded by the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation. The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The study was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and are a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The study was funded by the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The study was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and are a major breakthrough in the field of cancer research. The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The study was funded by the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation. The research was conducted by a team of scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand, led by Professor Pamela Mukherjee and Dr. Sibusiso Moyo. The team used a combination of computational models and experimental approaches to identify the key mechanisms by which cancer cells evade the immune system. According to Dr. Moyo, 'Our study highlights the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system, and sheds light on the ways in which cancer cells evade detection and destruction.' The team's findings have significant implications for the development of new cancer therapies and highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between cancer cells and the immune system. For example, the study reveals that cancer cells use a specific type of cell signaling molecule, called a cytokine, to manipulate the epithelium and create a 'safe haven' for themselves. This is a critical finding, as it suggests that targeting these cytokines could be a potential strategy for treating cancer. **The study's findings have been published

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SOURCES & REFERENCES
🔗allafrica.comPrimary source
📅Published: June 19, 2026
✏️Written by Marcus Webb · OMGHive Editorial
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