Release date: 2014-05-04

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that is very prone to metastasis and is most likely to metastasize to the lungs, bones and liver. As for why breast cancer spreads or metastasizes to the lungs, researchers at the University of Western Ontario in Canada have given us some tips. Their research was published in the journal Neoplasia .

Breast cancer is the number one cancer among women in both developed and developing countries. If early detection, traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a high success rate, but once the disease spreads to the breast, traditional treatments often fail. The lungs are one of the most metastatic sites of breast cancer, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. However, it is unclear whether the nature of cancer cells or the nature of the organ microenvironment affects this organ targeting.

The study was led by Dr. Alison Allan of Western University in Canada. Their previous studies showed that in animal models a special type of breast cancer cell – breast cancer stem cells (CSC), is responsible for metastasis, especially lung metastasis.

In this study, the researchers developed an innovative ex vivo model system that mimicked different organ environments. They observed that breast cancer stem cells have a tendency to migrate outward and grow in the lungs. At the same time, they also identified specific interactions between breast cancer stem cells and lung-derived proteins, which can be disrupted to reduce breast cancer metastasis.

Allan explained that in terms of transfer, there is a theory called seed and soil. “Like dandelion, when it is planted, the seeds are blown everywhere. But they don't necessarily grow everywhere; they only grow in the right soil.” Transfer also, tumor cells (seeds) have some decisions about their invasion. The intrinsic factors of sexual and metastatic ability, while different organs (soil) provide important factors that attract tumor cells and support their survival and growth into metastases.

Allan also said that many previous studies have been carried out on cancer cells because they are easy to study, but little is known about soil factors. "We found some proteins produced in the lungs that seem to interact with cancer stem cells, making the lungs a place for cancer cells to grow."

Using protein chips, the researchers identified ligands for some of the lung's differentiation antigen (CD) 44, including osteopontin (OPN) and L-selectin (SELL). Immunosuppression of SELL reduced migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, while removal of OPN reduced migration and proliferation. They believe that stem cell-like breast cancer cells preferentially migrate to the lung environment through the interaction of CD44 receptor-ligand.

Their results suggest that the interaction of CD44+ breast cancer cells with soluble factors in the lung microenvironment may play an important role in determining organ-targeted metastatic behavior. This study lays the foundation for future clinical research and may be helpful for early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer.

Source: Biopass

Wastewater Decolorant

waste water treatment


Wastewater treatment is a process used to convert wastewater-which is water no longer needed or suitable for its most recent use-into an effluent that can be either returned to the water cycle with minimal environmental issues or reused. It takes an important part in improve our environment.

Wastewater Decolorant,High Chroma Wastewater Decolorization,Color Wastewater Decolorization,Industry Wastewater Decolorant

Shandong Tiancheng Chemical Co., Ltd. , https://www.tianchengchemical.com