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Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by Saadet Demir
what kills cancer cells in the body naturally
Cancer stem cells are a special group of cancer cells. They are linked to cancer recurrence, spreading, and not responding to drugs. A study found that these cells cause most cancer deaths.
It’s important to know how to target cancer stem cells for better cancer treatment. Scientists are looking for natural ways to get rid of these cells.
Cancer stem cells are key in starting, growing, and coming back in cancer. They can make new tumors because they can renew themselves and change into different cells. These cells are a special group of cancer cells that act like normal stem cells.
Cancer stem cells can renew themselves and change into different cells. This makes tumors diverse. They start and grow cancer, and can make it come back after treatment. Scientists have found markers like CD44, CD133, and ALDH1 to find and study these cells.
Key characteristics of cancer stem cells include:
Cancer stem cells can keep the tumor going by regenerating. Regular cancer cells grow and make up most of the tumor but can’t keep it going forever. Cancer stem cells are more flexible and can survive in tough conditions, including during treatment.
“Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of cancer cells that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate, contributing to cancer progression and recurrence.”
Source: Cancer Research Journal
It’s important to target cancer stem cells in cancer treatment. They start, grow, and make cancer come back. Getting rid of them is key to stopping cancer from coming back. Scientists are working on finding ways to kill these cells to improve treatment results.
Strategies to target cancer stem cells include:
Cancer stem cells are a big problem for traditional cancer treatments. Even with new medical tech and treatment plans, getting rid of these cells is hard.
Chemotherapy is a key part of cancer treatment, aiming at fast-growing cancer cells. But cancer stem cells grow slowly or not at all. They also have ways to avoid chemotherapy, like using ABCG2 to push drugs out.
A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that cancer stem cells make treatment harder. They are linked to a bad prognosis and resistance to treatments.
“Cancer stem cells are thought to be responsible for cancer recurrence and metastasis due to their ability to survive conventional treatments.”
| Mechanism | Description | Impact on Chemotherapy |
| Drug Efflux Pumps | Proteins that expel drugs from cells | Reduces intracellular drug concentration, making chemotherapy less effective |
| Quiescence | State of cellular dormancy | Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, sparing quiescent cancer stem cells |
| DNA Repair Mechanisms | Enhanced ability to repair DNA damage | Increases resistance to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents |
Radiation therapy is used to fight cancer. It works well on most tumor cells but not on cancer stem cells. These cells can fix DNA damage and resist radiation.
When treatments don’t get rid of cancer stem cells, cancer can come back. These cells can survive and grow back, sometimes more aggressively. It’s important to understand how they resist treatment to find better ways to fight cancer.
Scientists are studying cancer stem cells to find new treatments. They’re looking for ways to target these cells directly. This could lead to more effective treatments that can overcome cancer stem cell resistance.
The body has many ways to fight cancer. It uses different cell processes to help fight the disease. Knowing these ways is key to making treatments that work with the body’s own defenses.
The body has several ways to fight cancer. It uses the immune system, apoptosis, and autophagy. These work together to find and kill cancer cells before they grow into tumors.
Key Natural Anti-Cancer Mechanisms:
The immune system is very important in fighting cancer. It finds and kills cancer cells. Cells like T cells and natural killer cells are key in this fight, recognizing and destroying cancer cells.
“The immune system is our most powerful ally in the fight against cancer, capable of recognizing and eliminating cancer cells through complex mechanisms.”
Apoptosis and autophagy are key in getting rid of cancer cells. Apoptosis is programmed cell death that removes damaged cells. Autophagy breaks down and recycles cell parts, keeping cells healthy.
| Process | Description | Role in Cancer Prevention |
| Apoptosis | Programmed cell death | Eliminates damaged or cancerous cells |
| Autophagy | Cellular self-digestion | Maintains cellular homeostasis, preventing cancerous transformations |
Anti-angiogenesis stops new blood vessels from forming. This cuts off the nutrients and oxygen tumors need to grow. Without these, tumors can’t grow or spread.
Natural Compounds with Anti-angiogenic Properties:
These natural compounds can help prevent cancer by stopping new blood vessels. This starves tumors of what they need to grow.
cancer stem cell
Dietary compounds might help fight cancer stem cells. This could lead to new ways to prevent and treat cancer. Some foods have special compounds that could help fight cancer.
Curcumin, found in turmeric, is being studied for its cancer-fighting abilities. It works on pathways that help cancer stem cells grow. Curcumin could be used alongside other treatments to help fight cancer.
EGCG, a key part of green tea, has shown promise against cancer. It helps kill cancer cells and stops tumors from getting blood. EGCG works by affecting many important pathways.
Resveratrol, found in grapes and berries, might help fight cancer. It triggers cancer cell death and slows down cancer stem cell growth. Resveratrol could be important in preventing cancer.
Sulforaphane, in broccoli and cauliflower, has anti-cancer effects. It kills cancer cells and stops cancer stem cells from growing. Sulforaphane shows how food choices can help prevent cancer.
| Dietary Compound | Source | Mechanism of Action |
| Curcumin | Turmeric | Inhibits Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathways |
| EGCG | Green Tea | Induces apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis |
| Resveratrol | Grapes, Berries | Activates apoptosis and inhibits cancer stem cell proliferation |
| Sulforaphane | Cruciferous Vegetables | Induces apoptosis and inhibits cancer stem cell growth |
Herbal medicines and plant extracts are being studied for their role in fighting cancer. They show promise in targeting cancer stem cells. These cells are key in starting and growing cancer.
Berberine is found in plants like goldenseal. It has been used for its health benefits for a long time. New studies suggest it can fight cancer stem cells by affecting important pathways.
Mechanisms of Action: Berberine can make cancer cells die and stop the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This pathway is important for cancer stem cells to keep growing.
Artemisinin comes from Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood). It’s known for fighting malaria. It also shows promise in fighting cancer stem cells.
Anti-Cancer Properties: Artemisinin can make cancer cells die and stop them from growing. It works by creating reactive oxygen species, which helps fight cancer.
Ginger is a spice used in many dishes. It has compounds like gingerol and shogaol. These have been studied for their cancer-fighting abilities.
Mechanisms of Action: Ginger compounds can block the NF-κB pathway. This pathway is linked to inflammation and cancer growth. They also help cancer cells die.
Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is good for the liver. Silibinin, a key part of milk thistle, is being looked at for its cancer-fighting properties.
Anti-Cancer Effects: Silibinin can slow down cancer cell growth and make them die. It also has antioxidant properties, which can reduce stress caused by free radicals.
| Herbal Medicine | Active Compound | Mechanism of Action | Effect on Cancer Stem Cells |
| Goldenseal | Berberine | Induces apoptosis, inhibits Wnt/β-catenin pathway | Inhibits growth and self-renewal |
| Sweet Wormwood | Artemisinin | Generates ROS, induces apoptosis | Inhibits proliferation |
| Ginger | Gingerol, Shogaol | Inhibits NF-κB pathway, induces apoptosis | Reduces inflammation and cancer progression |
| Milk Thistle | Silibinin | Induces apoptosis, antioxidant effects | Inhibits cancer cell proliferation |
Herbal medicines and plant extracts are promising in the fight against cancer stem cells. More research is needed to understand their full benefits and how they work in cancer prevention and treatment.
mammosphere
Mammospheres are key in studying cancer stem cells, mainly in breast cancer. They are three-dimensional cultures of breast cancer cells. This setup lets scientists study cancer stem cells in a more realistic way than two-dimensional cultures.
Mammospheres grow when breast cancer cells are cultured to favor stem cell growth. These spheres are rich in cancer stem cells. These cells are thought to start, grow, and come back cancer. By studying mammospheres, researchers learn how cancer stem cells survive and grow.
Using mammospheres in research has many benefits. It helps find specific markers and pathways of cancer stem cells. It also tests new treatments and how cancer cells resist them.
Natural compounds are tested against mammospheres to see if they can target cancer stem cells. This means checking if these compounds can stop mammospheres from forming or shrinking them. They also check if these compounds can kill cancer stem cells.
Compounds like curcumin, EGCG from green tea, and resveratrol from grapes show promise. They are tested in various ways to see how they affect mammospheres and cancer stem cells.
The goal of mammosphere research is to find new treatments for breast cancer. This involves creating therapies that target cancer stem cells. This could lead to better treatments for breast cancer.
Even though the research is early, mammosphere study is promising for new cancer treatments. By understanding cancer stem cells in mammospheres, researchers can find new targets. This could lead to more effective treatments.
Research shows that certain lifestyle choices can help get rid of cancer stem cells. By adding specific habits to your daily routine, you can boost your body’s fight against cancer.
Regular exercise is good for cancer stem cell pathways. It can lower inflammation, boost the immune system, and help kill cancer cells. Studies show that exercise can cut down cancer stem cells in many types of cancer.
Mechanisms by which exercise affects cancer stem cells include:
| Exercise Type | Effect on Cancer Stem Cells |
| Aerobic Exercise | Reduces cancer stem cell population by improving immune function |
| Resistance Training | Enhances muscle mass and reduces inflammation |
| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Improves insulin sensitivity and reduces IGF-1 |
Intermittent fasting and metabolic methods are being studied for their effects on cancer stem cells. They can change how cancer cells work, making them more likely to die.
Intermittent fasting can:
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and help cancer stem cells grow. Techniques like meditation and yoga can help reduce stress.
Mind-body techniques can:
Good sleep is key for health, and it might also help control cancer stem cells. Bad sleep can cause more inflammation and weaken the immune system.
Improving sleep quality can:
cancer stem cells research
The scientific world is looking into natural ways to fight cancer stem cells. This includes many studies, from lab tests to human trials. They aim to see how natural substances can help against cancer.
Lab tests have found natural compounds that might fight cancer stem cells. For example, curcumin in turmeric can slow down cancer stem cell growth. EGCG from green tea also targets and lowers cancer stem cell numbers.
These studies use cell cultures to see how natural compounds affect cancer stem cells. The results are encouraging. Many natural substances can make cancer stem cells die or stop growing.
Studies on animals have also shown promise. For example, resveratrol in grapes and berries can slow down tumor growth. It targets cancer stem cells in mice.
Human trials are key to proving natural methods work in people. Many trials are looking at how natural compounds affect cancer stem cells.
A study on curcumin in breast cancer patients found it reduced cancer stem cells. Such trials help turn lab results into real-world treatments.
Even with promising results, there are limits to the research. Most studies are in labs or on animals. More human trials are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness.
Future studies should:
By tackling these issues, scientists can better understand how natural methods fight cancer stem cells. This could lead to better, less harmful cancer treatments.
Using natural methods with standard cancer treatments is becoming more popular. It might make treatments work better and have fewer side effects. This mix of old and new treatments could lead to better results for patients.
Some natural compounds might make chemotherapy work better. For example, curcumin, found in turmeric, can make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment. A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed that curcumin helped chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
| Natural Compound | Chemotherapy Enhancement | Study Findings |
| Curcumin | Sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy | Enhanced chemotherapy effectiveness in breast cancer patients |
| EGCG (Green Tea) | Inhibits cancer cell growth and proliferation | Improved outcomes in patients with various cancers |
| Resveratrol | Modulates cellular pathways to enhance chemotherapy | Shown to improve chemotherapy outcomes in colon cancer models |
Natural methods can also lessen side effects from cancer treatments. For instance, ginger can help with nausea from chemotherapy. A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed ginger helped reduce nausea in patients.
Stopping cancer from coming back is key. Some natural compounds, like sulforaphane in veggies, might help. They target cancer stem cells, which could prevent recurrence.
It’s important for patients to work with doctors on treatment plans. Combining traditional treatments with natural methods can be safe and effective. This teamwork ensures the best care for each patient.
By mixing natural methods with traditional treatments, patients might see better results and fewer side effects. As research grows, more doctors are adding these natural approaches to treatment plans. This could lead to better health and well-being for patients.
Targeting cancer stem cells is key to better cancer treatment. Studies show natural compounds and lifestyle changes can help kill these cells. Knowing what naturally kills cancer cells is vital for new treatments.
The future of cancer treatment might mix traditional and natural methods. Foods like curcumin and EGCG could target cancer stem cells. Also, regular exercise, fasting, and reducing stress help fight cancer stem cells.
Using natural methods with traditional treatments could make them work better and have fewer side effects. As research finds more about natural ways, treating cancer might get better. Combining natural and traditional methods could give patients better care.
You can work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that includes natural methods. This plan can include diet changes, lifestyle changes, and herbal supplements.
Research on natural methods to target cancer stem cells is promising. But, we need more studies to fully understand their benefits.
Yes, using natural methods with traditional treatments can make chemotherapy work better. It can also reduce side effects and prevent cancer from coming back.
Yes, herbs like berberine, artemisinin, ginger, and milk thistle have anti-cancer effects. They target cancer stem cells.
Yes, lifestyle choices like exercise, fasting, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep can help kill cancer stem cells. They work by changing how cells work.
Mammospheres are three-dimensional cultures of breast cancer cells. They help study cancer stem cells and test new treatments.
Yes, foods like curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, and sulforaphane can target cancer stem cells. They help stop these cells from growing and multiplying.
The body has ways to fight cancer naturally. The immune system, apoptosis, and autophagy help kill cancer cells. Foods like curcumin, EGCG, and sulforaphane also have anti-cancer effects.
Cancer stem cells can grow back and change, unlike regular cancer cells. They are also more aggressive and can spread cancer more easily.
Cancer stem cells are a special group of cancer cells. They can grow and change like normal stem cells. They are thought to start and grow cancer, and make it come back.
