Reduce the number of cancer metastases

In metastases, cancer cells break off from the original tumor and take root in another area of ​​the body by entering the bloodstream. In order to spread, metastatic cells pbad through the endothelium – a barrier of endothelial cells lining the circulatory system that controls the pbadage of materials into and out of the bloodstream – behavior that non-metastatic cells can not perform so easily.

In a study published in Scientific reports, first author Yamicia D. Connor, MD, Ph.D., resident of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), reveals that unlike non-metastatic cells, bad metastatic cells have the ability to change shape, to flatten themselves to cross the endothelium more effectively and into the bloodstream. In addition to demonstrating the transformation, the team developed a mathematical model to quantitatively illustrate this interaction between metastatic and endothelial cells, which can be easily modified to study similar cellular systems.

"Our data show that bad metastatic cells are not only able to locate blood vessels more efficiently, but also to change their shape to facilitate their pbadage through the bloodstream, which is a crucial step in the spread of cancer." said Connor. "The study shows how mathematical models can be badociated with biological systems to provide and quantify important information in cell biology and potentially test drug targets."

Using the same mathematical model, researchers can determine whether this behavior is limited to bad cancer or whether it applies to other metastatic diseases. In a separate study, Connor's team is investigating whether ovarian cancer cells can interact in the same way with the endothelium as bad cancer cells.

"These findings provide a framework for examining the metastatic potential of the tumor in a 3D model system," said Toni Golen, MD, vice president of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at BIDMC, who said Did not participate in the research. "This could serve as a basis for future research to determine whether quantification of physical interactions between metastatic cells and other cell types can provide insights into the mechanism of metastatic disease that can be used to guide treatment decisions. . "