Scientists at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and British Columbia (Canada) discovered almost by accident a cure for cancer when he realized that the protein of malaria can be effective in fighting the disease of our century, it highlights Russia Today .
Initially scientific research was intended to find a vaccine to protect pregnant women from malaria, a disease that can seriously damage the placenta.
By pure chance they found that proteins of malaria can kill cancer cells. Thus, the malaria vaccine could be injected to cancer and using a toxin, eliminate cells, reports the journal Cancer Cell.
The explanation is that the carbohydrate that provides the malaria parasite joins the placenta of pregnant women is the same one that is found in cancer cells. Carbohydrate, in turn, ensures the rapid growth of the placenta and fulfills the same function in cancer cells.
Research about the striking similarities has lasted for a long period of time. "In a few months this body can grow from a few cells to a weight of approximately one kilogram," says Ali Salanti of the University of Copenhagen. Thus, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the embryo similar to what occurs in cancer cells.
Researchers hope to test in humans in the next four years, since studies could advance the discovery of a cure for cancer.