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In a study of mouse models and human tissue, researchers have shown how aggressive forms of skin cancer can cause the immune system to become invasive. Knowing that this could lead to better, more effective treatments.
New search whose results now appear in the review Cell, has developed a mechanism for aggressive forms of skin cancer to become invasive and spread quickly. The study, funded by the nonprofit Cancer Research UK, was conducted by a team from King & # 39; s College London and Queen Mary University London (QMUL), both located in the UK. United.
During their experiment, they badyzed the composition of cancerous or cancerous skin cells, in search of the factors that play to their advantage. They discovered that such cancerous cells release certain molecules that interact with the immune system, emitting signals that promote the growth and spread of tumors. The researchers hope that in the future, their new discovery will enable scientists to develop better strategies for targeting aggressive melanoma and preventing a relapse.
A complex signaling mechanism
The research team examined samples of melanoma tumors taken from human patients as well as mouse models of this form of cancer. The investigation revealed that the aggressiveness of skin cancer is largely due to the presence of large amounts of myosin II protein in cancer cells. Myosin II contributes to cell motility, which means it helps cells to move. thus, high levels of this protein allow cancer cells to become more mobile and spread faster in the body. However, the researchers also discovered that myosin II stimulates the secretion of substances that send signals to the immune system, "ordering" it to bypbad cancer cells. More specifically, these substances "talk" to macrophages. These are specialized immune cells that normally consume and eliminate foreign bodies, defective cells and cell debris. When these macrophages receive signals from melanoma cells, due to the action of myosin II, this "programs" them to avoid attacking cancerous tumors, letting them grow and spread freely.
Target the culprits
Another effect of substances secreted by myosin II is the perforation of the blood vessels so that the cancerous cells can pbad into the blood and move to distant sites of the body. "This study," says lead author, Professor Vicky Sanz-Moreno, of QMUL, "highlights how cancer cells interact with and influence their environment for their growth and spread."
"Developing treatments that target chemicals that alter the immune system," she adds, "could help prevent the spread of the disease." Subsequent badyzes have shown the team that interleukin 1A, a signaling protein that has helped to reinforce the invasiveness of cancer cells, is the most important chemical released by myosin II. When the researchers decided to target myosin II and block its activity, cancer cells released less interleukin 1A, both in mouse models and human melanoma samples.
"By using therapeutic drugs that block the activity of myosin II or the release of interleukin 1A, we can make the tumor less invasive and slow down its growth, which makes it easier to treat."
-Teacher. Vicky Sanz-Moreno
Looking for "treatment combinations"
The researchers explain that some drugs targeting the activity of myosin II already exist, but that people are currently using them primarily in the treatment of other conditions. These include glaucoma, an eye condition that tends to appear later in life and can lead to vision loss.
Professor Sanz-Moreno and his colleagues are now considering testing myosin II inhibitors in conjunction with current cancer treatments to test their compatibility. The use of interleukin 1A inhibitors to reduce the invasion of cancer cells is also possible; At present, clinical trials are underway to test these drugs in the treatment of colon cancer.
"We are excited to know if inhibitory drugs could be used in combination with other targeted therapies," said Professor Sanz-Moreno.
"By identifying combinations of effective treatments," she adds, "we hope that in the future, inhibitors of myosin II and interleukin 1A may be used to improve treatments." results for patients and reduce the risk of recurrence of melanoma ".
Professor Richard Marais, Director of Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, did not contribute to the study, but notes that new findings could lead to better methods to prevent the return of melanoma after traditional cancer treatment .
"Once melanoma is eliminated, it's still possible that some cells will remain," says Professor Marais, adding, "This study shows that we may be able to develop treatments to prevent the spread of the remaining cells after surgery, helping patients to survive longer. "
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