Spreading tumor cells are able to adapt their metabolism to the specific organs they are invading. This conclusion forms the gist of a VIB-KU Leuven paper published in the scientific journal Cell Reports. The researchers examined lung cancer metastases that originated from breast tumors, discovering that the two tumors have different ways of converting nutrients into biomass building blocks. Thanks to these findings, scientists may be able to develop new therapies that target the metabolism of cancer cells, thereby halting a tumor's growth.
When the Belgian research group of professor Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven) started this project, their choice to examine breast cancer that had spread to the lungs was no coincidence. Although fewer and fewer people die from breast cancer -- thanks to both increased screening and improved treatment -- a breast tumor's spread to other organs causes a whopping 90% of all deaths caused by breast cancer. In addition, only 22% of all patients with spreading or 'metastatic' breast cancer survive.
Environment overrides genetics
According to today's models, genetic aberrations define how cancer cells convert nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) from their environment into biomass building blocks in order to grow. As a result, the treatment of breast cancer metastases (the cancer's new occurrences in other organs) is currently based on the genetic background of the primary breast tumors. However, these treatments often fail. The study by prof. Fendt might just have uncovered a key element in this issue.
Prof. Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven): "There are two major metabolic pathways used by cells to generate biomass building blocks for tumor growth. We discovered that in vivo cancer cells in secondary lung tumors are more prone of using one of these two systems compared to the primary breast cancers. This is a response to subtle changes in the lung microenvironment that override the influence of cancer-specific genes."
Tailored new medicines
Some cancer therapies directly target tumor cell metabolism, but this study implies that cancer metastases should be treated with different drugs than the primary cancers.
Prof. Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven): "In time, our findings may be put to use in patients with advanced breast cancer. But first, we will follow the basic lanes and investigate which other metabolic pathways are impacted by the tumor microenvironment. We will also examine the role of the microenvironment at the point when the cancer starts spreading. In this way, we are gradually throwing more light on all the parameters of tumor growth -- a crucial information needed for developing more precise and effective anti-cancer therapies."
Materials provided by VIB - Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Disclaimer: DoveMed is not responsible for the adapted accuracy of news releases posted to DoveMed by contributing universities and institutions.
Primary Resource:
Christen, S., Lorendeau, D., Schmieder, R., Broekaert, D., Metzger, K., Veys, K., ... & Grünewald, T. G. P. (2016). Breast Cancer-Derived Lung Metastases Show Increased Pyruvate Carboxylase-Dependent Anaplerosis. Cell Reports, 17(3), 837-848.
and connect with fellow professionals
At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
0 Comments
Please log in to post a comment.