Protein found to be essential for the spread of breast cancer
The protein could be used as a therapeutic target to prevent the development of metastases. The study is published in the journal Advancesd Science.Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a mechanism for breast cancer cells to infiltrate healthy tissue. The motor protein dynein enables the spread of cancer cells. This discovery not only improves understanding of the metastatic process, but is also the first step toward developing new treatments.
The researchers used microscopy to observe the migration of live breast cancer cells in two different systems modeled after the human body. The first system, a two-dimensional network of collagen fibers, revealed how cancer cells move through the extracellular matrix surrounding tumors and showed that dynein plays a key role in cancer cell movement.
The second system presented a three-dimensional model that mimicked soft tissue using a network of microscopic hydrogel particles connected together into structures that mimicked tumors. As in the two-dimensional experiment, in the three-dimensional model, the researchers found that dynein was "indispensable" in the spread or metastasis of cancer cells.
"Using these three-dimensional models that partially mimic a tumor, we found that if we block dynein, cancer cells cannot effectively move and penetrate solid tissue," Amir Sheikhi, a co-author of the study.
Scientists note that the discovery could lead to the creation of a brand new cancer therapy. Instead of killing cancer cells with radiation or chemotherapy, the movement of such cells could simply be "paralyzed" by turning off the desired protein. In the long term, such a treatment could become a non-toxic alternative to current methods after surgical removal of the main tumor.
The discovery of the mechanism controlling the spread of breast tumor metastases is an important first step for the creation of anti-cancer therapy, but the practical application of the method in medicine is still a long way off. Preliminary animal trials are required.