New identified agents hold promise for treating multiple tumors

Undoubtedly, there is an urgent need for medical agents to treat metastatic tumors. Pancreatic cancer, as one of the most aggressive types of cancer, cause 95% of the patients to die within 5 years after the diagnosis. To alter this situation, a scientist develops tumor therapeutic agents that might reduce this mortality rate. Currently, he has received a total of EUR 5 million to support preclinical and clinical tests of the agents.

The scientist currently schedule to utilize the funds acquired for the further development of candidate agents identified by other research team for the treatment of metastatic tumors. The candidate substances bind specifically to a so-called isoform of the surface molecule CD 44, and thus specifically interfere with central signaling paths of tumor growth, while other types of cells remain unaffected. What is seen is that New formation of blood vessels supplying the tumor and migration of cancer cells and their invasion into other organs are inhibited.

The research shows that this compounds do not only block the growth of primary tumors, but also prevent metastatic development and induce the regression of existing metastases. Although the scientist observed some remarkable effects in the previous animal tests, clinical studies carried out in future will show whether these positive effects will also occur in human patients without any side effects.

The target molecule (called CD44v6) of the above candidates plays a significant role for many type of tumors. It was discovered in the 1990s and its isoforms are increasingly considered significant factors for the spreading and formation of metastases. Blocking the receptor CD44v6 might open up opportunities for a wide-ranging application in tumor therapy.

A new research confirms that tentacle-like structures called "invadopodia" plays a key role in the spread of cancer. This research, published in Cell Reports, shows that blocking formation of invadopodia can aid in stopping the spread of cancer.

There are an estimated 570,000 people living in the UK nowadays who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year, around 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and around 12,000 women die from this disease. With advances in medical research and care, cancer can often be treated with high success if detected early. However, after it spreads, cancer becomes much more difficult to treat.

Previous research has shown cancer cells are capable of producing "invadopodia," a type of extension that cells use to probe and change their environment. However, their significance in the escape of cancer cells from the bloodstream has been unclear.

Novel research results confirmed the cancer cells formed invadopodia to reach out of the bloodstream and into the tissue of the surrounding organs. However, through genetic modification or drug treatment, the scientists were capable of blocking the factors needed for invadopodia to form. This effectively stopped all attempts for the cancer to spread.

Scientists suggest invadopodia may be an important new target for therapy, because it play a key role in the spread of cancer. If a drug can be developed to prevent invadopodia from forming, it could potentially stop dangerous spread.