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A niche for metastases

Scientists from TUM discovered that pancreatic cancer cells create a 'niche' in the liver to grow and spread at an exceptionally early stage. This is facilitated by the protein TIMP1, which interacts with hepatic stellate cells to activate them and initiate metastasis.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateOct 6, 2016

The Lancet: Whole brain radiotherapy offers little benefit to people whose lung cancer has spread to the brain, despite its widespread use

Researchers found that whole brain radiotherapy had no beneficial effect on survival or quality of life compared to best supportive care and steroids. The trial included 538 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had spread to the brain, and showed that WBRT did not extend survival or improve quality of life.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateSep 4, 2016

Lymph node stage may have clinical significance among NSCLC patients with stage IV M1a

A large cohort of NSCLC patients with M1a disease found lymph node staging to have clinical significance and an impact on prognosis. The results showed that patients without regional lymph node metastasis (N0) had better lung cancer-specific survival rates compared to those with N1 or N2 disease. Lymph node involvement also emerged as ...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateAug 24, 2016

Loophole for cancer cells

Cancer cells use DR6 to kill endothelial cells, allowing them to slip through the vascular wall and form metastases. This process is known as necroptosis, which enables cancer cells to overcome an endothelial cell layer in the laboratory and in living organisms.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2016

Metastatic prostate cancer cases skyrocket

A recent study by Northwestern University found that metastatic prostate cancer cases have increased by 72% between 2004 and 2013, with men aged 55-69 being disproportionately affected. The study suggests that both more aggressive disease and lax screening may be contributing factors.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·DateJul 19, 2016

A 'key' to metastasis formation

Researchers at Hokkaido University found that biglycan molecule attracts tumor cells to blood vessel walls, facilitating metastasis formation. High biglycan expression linked to poor prognosis in breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 13, 2016

Moffitt Cancer Center awarded $3.2 million grant to study bone metastasis in prostate cancer

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center will investigate prostate cancer metastasis using a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates molecular, cellular and clinical information into mathematical models. The goal is to better understand the key factors driving disease progression and identify new therapeutic targets for prevention.

Progression-free survival triples in select metastatic lung cancer patients with surgery or radiation after standard chemotherapy

A new study led by MD Anderson Cancer Center found an eight-month progression-free survival benefit in patients treated with local consolidative therapy, a significant shift in clinical care for thousands of lung cancer patients. The treatment improved outcomes for those with oligometastases, defined as three or fewer sites of metastasis.

Stopping cancer in its tracks

Researchers at the University of Chicago found that inhibiting autophagy, a cellular housekeeping process, effectively blocks tumor cell migration and breast cancer metastasis in tumor models. Autophagy is essential for tumor metastasis, and its inhibition can be an effective approach to block metastatic dissemination.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 12, 2016

How breast cancer cells slide to metastasis

Researchers found that breast cancer cells spread by sliding around other cells blocking their escape route out of the original tumor. The study identified molecular pathways that regulate cell-sliding behavior and showed that increased levels of E-cadherin can diminish this behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateApr 26, 2016