http://www.cancer.dk/Cancer/Nyheder/201 ... sering.htm
Its about a protein called S100A4... A danish team testet it on mice... one mouse was born without this protein, and cancer, ven very agressive types, had very low spread, compared to a mouse with the protein. When the team added the proteiin to the mouse born without, the cancer startet spreading again.
THe idea is that this proteion plays a highly active roll in alowing the cells to spread... Ofc this protetin is a natural part of the body, but id say the future looks bright, when it comes to preventing spread with this new knowlege... They where actually able to controll the spread... there are other proteins an such that take part too, but this one seems most interesting.
Cancer cells are helped to spread
Cancer cells recruits the body's other cells when they are spreading. It says new research from the Cancer Society, which also shows that processed starts long before metastases can be detected by doctors. Researchers have also a good idea of how the process may be inhibited, so the spread may in future be avoided.
Scientists have long known that protein S100A4 plays in when cancer cells spread in the body and form metastases. But how S100A4 protein works, has hitherto been something of a mystery.
Biologist Birgitte Grum-Schwensen researching how cancer cells spread in the body.
- Our studies have shown that it is not actually cancer cells that secrete S100A4. It makes a contrast type of cells called fibroblasts, located around cancer cells. Fibroblasts stimulated presumably at a very early stage of the disease to form S100A4, which can help cancer cells to spread, says biologist Birgitte Grum-Schwensen from the Department of Molecular Cancer Biology at the Cancer Society. She presented the results of his doctoral dissertation, which she defends today.
Researchers at the Cancer Society shows that cancer cells can stimulate fibroblasts to secrete S100A4 protein. S100A4 can then attract immune T cells.
- T-cells to form substances of the type cytokines, which are known to help cancer cells to form metastases. Our experiments also show that S100A4 increases the cancer cells ability to form blood vessels. It is an ability which is absolutely essential to the tumors can grow large, while being equipped with oxygen and essential nutrients from the blood, says Birgitte Grum-Schwensen.
Important mice
Researchers have, among other things reached their results by using two types of genetically engineered mice which they themselves have grown.
One type mice were normal, except that they had not S100A4. With them as scientists, that it was much harder for cancer cells, which they sprayed into the mice, to gain a foothold. Despite that it was a very aggressive form of cancer cells, they formed significantly fewer tumors than in normal mice and the few that were formed, didnt spread. When the researchers injected S100A4 formed cancer cells restore tumor and metastases.
The second type of mice were bred from mice that spontaneously formed tumors and metastases. When they were genetically engineered so they no longer had S100A4, so researchers are remarkable achievements.
- When we removed the mice ability to form S100A4 they formed significantly fewer metastases. That in itself is very unusual for this type mice. Simultaneously, the tumors much less both to attract T cells and to form blood vessels, says Birgitte Grum-Schwensen.
Hope to inhibit cancer cells growth in future
, - Our conclusion is that S100A4 is important for both cancer cells ability to form blood vessels and their ability to spread in the body, says Birgitte Grum-Schwensen.
Researchers have sought money to continue their work and Birgitte Grum-Schwensen is no doubt in which direction they should go:
- We will try to make anti-substances that can either inhibit S100A4, inhibiting T cells that are attracted, or may inhibit the cytokines they secrete. If successful, it might be a way to inhibit cancer cell growth and formation of metastases at an early stage. We naturally hope that the long-term use in cancer treatment, she says.
S100A4
S100A4 is a protein that also plays a major role in the healthy bodies. In adults it is formed by many cells in the immune system and are found mainly in tissues that are rich in lymfeceller, for example. spleen and lymph nodes. It is believed that S100A4 is especially important in the processes that builds and maintains the body's tissues and cells when moving around the body.