Cancer cells develop when the normal control of growth, differentiation (function) and survival breakdown. The breakdown can result from DNA mutations in the gene but more commonly is due to the epigenetic or non-DNA components that regulate the gene function. Breakdown in epigenetic components worsen with age and may explain why cancer is increasing in our aging population. Drugs are now in use to correct abnormal epigenetic components in cancer cells. These epigenetic therapies restore function (differentiation therapy) and selectively program cancer cell death (apoptosis) with minimal toxicity to normal cells.

The SWCRF has been a pioneer in developing this concept and was the first to use differentiation therapy to cure a form of acute leukemia. Our pioneering work continues as epigenetic therapies are created by collaborative teams of SWCRF investigators in other hematologic malignancies and common cancers.

As the root cause of cancer formation and mortality are found in cancer stem cells, we believe that cancer can be eradicated by epigenetic therapy specifically designed by our network of scientists. This exciting advance in the discovery of cancer therapeutics has been and will continue to be the mission of the SWCRF Institute Without Walls.