Researchers from Chinese University of Hong Kong have conducted a study which shows that cancer cells have the capability to evade chemotherapy.

Scientists have started believing that cancer cells have the power to survive chemotherapy. The cancer cells switch the procedure. Thus instead of targeting the cancerous cells, the chemotherapy affects normal cells.

The diseased cells have a Houdini-like "escape tactic". This can render even powerful drugs useless against them. The study has also disclosed why cancer recurs in some patients after they have received proper treatment. 

Prior to this study it was believed that cancerous cells could not survive after the potency of chemotherapy. It was explained that a process called apoptosis, or cell suicide was responsible for the same.

The researchers treated human cervical, skin, liver and breast cancer cells each with three different chemicals in order to commence cell 'suicide' or apoptosis.

The researchers found that the cancer cells could redeem after the chemicals which initiated the apoptosis were removed. They came back to their normal form and began dividing. The cells could die only when their nucleus began to disintegrate.

According to Professor Ming-Chiu Fung, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, their research would provide an insight into better cure for cancer and would “provide potential new therapeutic targets in our battle against cancer."