How Cancer Cells Break Free from Tumors

[TECH NEWS]

Although tumor metastasis causes about 90 percent of cancer deaths, the exact mechanism that allows cancer cells to spread from one part of the body to another is not well understood. One key question is how tumor cells detach from the structural elements that normally hold tissues in place, then reattach themselves in a new site. A new study from MIT cancer researchers reveals some of the cellular adhesion molecules that are critical to this process. The findings, published Oct. 9 in Nature Communications, offer potential new cancer drug targets, says research team leader Sangeeta Bhatia. “As cancer cells become more metastatic, there can be a loss of adhesion to normal tissue structures. Then, as they become more aggressive, they gain the ability to stick to, and grow on, molecules that are not normally found in healthy tissues but are found in sites of tumor metastases. If we can prevent them from growing at these new sites, we may be able to interfere with metastatic disease.” Lead author of the paper is Nathan Reticker-Flynn, a PhD student in Bhatia’s lab.

 October 9, 2012, Anne Trafton, MIT News Office