Monday 8 December 2003
Invading Cancer Cells are Targeted by Scientists At The Institute of Cancer Research
For the first time Institute of Cancer Research scientists, funded by Cancer Research UK, have discovered mechanisms that allow cancer cells to change their shape in order to evade drugs designed to stop them spreading.
Dr Erik Sahai, in the team led by Professor Chris Marshall at The Institute of Cancer Research and based in the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology, studied metastasis, the mechanism that allows cancer cells to travel from one tissue or organ to invade another site, eventually taking it over.
Professor Marshall, Head of Cell and Molecular Biology comments “We wanted to find out what it was that enabled the cells from one part of the body to migrate and take root in another where they continue their destructive pattern of reproducing themselves while breaking down the surrounding tissue.”
“If we could prevent this process, we could reduce the risk of cancer spreading. If this was possible, the chance of curing the disease by removing the tumour would be increased.”
The scientists studied the protein Rho, which is frequently overexpressed in tumours. One of the functions of Rho is to regulate the movement of cells. They found that when they inhibited the function of Rho using an inhibitor (TAT-C3) then the movement of some tumour cells was almost completely blocked, preventing them from invading other tissues, but others were unaffected and continued on the invasion path.
The movement of invading cells was studied by making films of tumour cells moving through a 3D environment similar to tissue. Images were then reconstructed in 3D to give an animated sequence, which showed cell movement and changes in cell shape.
From this, the team were able to identify two types of tumour cell movement, only one of which requires signals from Rho. In the Rho dependent mode the cells are rounded and in the other, elongated. Changes in the environment around tumour cells result in them switching from one mode of movement to the other.
Cells that move in the rounded, Rho dependent way do not need to break down certain proteins surrounding the cell in order to move, while the elongated cells do and thus clear a pathway by degrading the surrounding tissue.
Professor Marshall’s team were then able to show that by preventing both the destruction of the proteins surrounding the tumour cell, and inhibiting the function of Rho, all movement could be prevented. Therefore they concluded that in order to prevent the spread of the invading tumour cells, both the elongated and rounded cell modes of cell movement must be targeted at the same time.
In the future this research could lead to targeted treatments which stop the lines of communication that allow cancer cells to spread. Such treatments should have few side effects and would allow patients to live their lives on the treatment with the disease dormant.
Professor Robert Souhami, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Clinical and External Affairs, says: “Understanding the spread of cancer cells is one of the most important components of our scientific strategy. This study gives us an important insight into some of the mechanisms involved and may lead to the development of new drugs that can prevent cancer from spreading.”
Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive at The Institute of Cancer Research concludes, “ This is an extremely valuable piece of research which gives us an insight into the way in which tumour cells communicate and spread. What The Institute of Cancer Research hopes to do now is to enhance collaboration between those who study cell molecular biology and those who are involved in developing new anti cancer therapies. “
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For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Marie MacLean
Press Officer
Institute of Cancer Research
Tel: 020 7153 5359
Out of Office Hours: 07932 561 346
Email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with leading scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
- Cancer Research UK is Europe’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to curing, treating and preventing the disease through world-class research. It relies almost entirely on voluntarily donations from the public to fund the vital work of its 3000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Its grants provide approximately 25% of The Institute of Cancer Research’s total income.
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.