Cancer cells lying dormant triggered to proliferate anew due to inflammation stimulus
In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of researchers led by renowned scientist Robert Weinberg has uncovered a significant factor that contributes to the return of cancer in patients who have undergone treatment. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggest that inflammation, triggered by a common chemotherapy drug, plays a crucial role in the awakening of dormant cancer cells.
The study focuses on the dormant cancer cells that can migrate to distant organs and lie in a state of dormancy for years. While most cancer cells die during this journey, a few persist and can give birth to new, often more aggressive tumors. This process, known as metastasis, is a common factor for the return of cancer months or even decades after initial treatment.
One trigger for this inflammation is bleomycin, a common chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers, including Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer. Bleomycin is known to cause lung inflammation, scarring, and thickening of the tissue. This inflammation, according to the study, jolts the dormant cancer cells awake, causing them to start multiplying again.
The awakening of dormant cancer cells is not a spontaneous process. Instead, it is triggered by inflamed tissue surrounding the cells. In the case of breast cancer, M2 macrophages are identified as drivers of the process that triggers the growth of dormant cancer cells. These macrophages release molecules called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands that activate a cascade of signals that provoke dormant cancer cells to start multiplying rapidly.
However, the study does not specify which particular molecules produced by M2 macrophages activate dormant breast cancer cells to awaken and proliferate. Nonetheless, the findings highlight the role of inflammation in the awakening of dormant cancer cells, providing a unique target for future treatments.
Cancer cells must undergo a long and arduous journey to achieve metastasis. During this journey, they face constant threats, including detection and attack by the immune system. The dormant state of these cells makes them resistant to conventional cancer treatments. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that trigger the awakening of dormant cancer cells is crucial in the ongoing battle against metastatic cancer.
Weinberg's research continues to shed light on the biology of metastasis and pursues research for metastatic breast cancer. His work offers hope for patients who have been diagnosed with this life-threatening disease and highlights the importance of continued research in the field of oncology.
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