All articles tagged with #cancer metastasis
A Weizmann Institute study (with U.S. data) suggests sildenafil (Viagra) can limit cancer’s ability to metastasize by disrupting cholesterol use inside cells via PDE5 inhibition and higher cGMP; researchers propose combining Viagra-related drugs with statins to slow spread. However, findings are observational and based on mouse data, so not yet proven in humans.
Researchers describe the interstitium as an interconnected network of fluid-filled spaces in connective tissue, revealing a third circulatory system that links skin, fascia, and organs; this could explain acupuncture's mechanisms, influence fat biology and inflammatory bowel disease, and shed light on how cancer spreads, with potential new therapeutic targets.
University of South Alabama researchers discovered that neurons can transfer mitochondria directly to cancer cells via tunneling nanotubes, enhancing their energy production, resistance, and metastatic potential. Disrupting nerve input reduced tumor invasiveness, suggesting targeting nerve-cancer interactions could be a promising strategy to limit cancer spread.
A study by researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has revealed that chronic stress can increase the spread of cancer by causing certain white blood cells called neutrophils to form sticky web-like structures, making body tissues more susceptible to metastasis. The team's experiments on mice showed a significant increase in metastatic lesions in stressed animals, which was attributed to stress hormones acting on neutrophils to form these structures. The findings suggest that reducing stress and developing drugs to prevent the formation of these structures could be important components of cancer treatment and prevention.
Researchers have discovered a specific type of stem cell in the spine that secretes a protein, MFGE8, which attracts cancer cells and explains why certain types of cancer spread more frequently to the spine than to other bones. This finding could lead to the development of new orthopedic and cancer treatments. The study also suggests that many spine disorders, including osteoporosis, may be linked to the distinct properties of vertebral bone stem cells. The researchers are now exploring ways to block MFGE8 to reduce the risk of spinal metastasis in cancer patients and investigating the role of these stem cells in responding to spine fusion surgery.