Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2024
Document Type
Problem/Project Report
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Committee Chair
Dr. Soumya K Srivastava
Committee Co-Chair
Dr. Srinivas Palanki
Committee Member
Dr. Srinivas Palanki
Committee Member
Dr. Moriah Katt
Abstract
The increase in human activity in space has revealed several kinds of physiological challenges brought on by the absence of Earth's gravitational pull. NASA observed that during spaceflight, astronauts experience a 1-1.5% monthly loss in the mineral density of weight-bearing bones, with rehabilitation efforts on Earth often proving ineffective. This issue extends to muscles, the neuro vestibular system, the cardiovascular system, and vision. Cancer has emerged as a significant cause of mortality among astronauts, with studies up to 2017 showing that 41.3% of natural cause deaths among U.S. astronauts were due to cancer, primarily due to space radiation exposure. Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with no definitive prevention or treatment strategies despite advances in medical science. This review aims to examine the cellular-level changes in cancer cells exposed to reduced gravity, focusing on cancerous cell behavior. The microgravity environment in space notably influences cancer cell behavior, suggesting new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. These findings not only underscore the risks faced by astronauts but also pave the way for innovative cancer research and treatment methodologies. It speculates that microgravity might serve as a complementary tool for future cancer treatment, opening new avenues for clinical therapies. By providing a comprehensive report on the cellular aspects of cancer cell research, this review seeks to establish therapeutic links between microgravity and cancer treatment, potentially revolutionizing oncology practices.
Recommended Citation
Yaram, Sai Deepika Reddy, "Cellular Level Changes Induced in Cancer Cells Due to Microgravity" (2024). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12619.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12619
Embargo Reason
Publication Pending
Included in
Biological Engineering Commons, Biomedical Devices and Instrumentation Commons, Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering Commons, Other Aerospace Engineering Commons, Other Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Space Habitation and Life Support Commons, Transport Phenomena Commons