Posts by tag
metastasis
Mechanisms linking chronic stress to raised metastasis risk discovered
Stress causes neutrophils to form sticky ‘web-like structures’, making body tissues more susceptible to cancer metastasis. The study published in Cancer Cell, 22 February, demonstrated that the stress hormone glucocorticoid leads to the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), known…
Study highlights need to reanalyse genomics and genetics of metastatic tumours
Around one third of breast cancer patients showed molecular subtype shifts (especially involving luminal cancers) between their primary and metastatic tumours. The study, published in Nature Cancer, on December 30th, also revealed the presence of fewer immune cells in triple-negative…
Cancer metastasis hijacks process healthy cells use to move around the body
Blocking the activity of an ion channel in a mouse model of cancer triggered metastasis independent of tumour formation. The study, published in Nature Genetics, 29th September, found that the process was not just restricted to mice with cancer; when…
Circulating tumour DNA provides early warning of metastatic breast cancer
In high-risk hormone receptor positive breast cancer circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) was identified a median of one year before distant metastasis. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (4th June, 2022), represents the first prospective investigation of plasma…
Study shines new light on breast cancer’s sweet tooth
Breast cancer cells impair the function of pancreatic islets to make them produce less insulin than required, resulting in higher blood glucose levels in breast cancer patients compared to women without cancer. The study, published in Nature Cell Biology (30th…
Aspirin cuts risk of death from a wide range of cancers
Taking aspirin together with cancer treatment results in reductions in death from cancer and all-cause mortality, both by around one fifth. The meta-analysis, published in ecancermedicalscience, (online 2 July), demonstrates benefits for aspirin across a range of cancers and shows…
Tailored exercise: a key element in personalised treatments and prevention
The expression ‘couch potato’ conjures up images of a worldly-wise, self-mocking type who leaves the rat-race to others, while happily cuddling up in front of the TV with snacks and drinks. Yet the consequences of such a lifestyle are dire.…
Malignant: Insights into the process of metastasis and how we can stop it
Why and how do cancer cells travel from their original site to seed new tumours elsewhere in the body, and what can be done to stop them? A series of presentations at the virtual June 2020 annual meeting of the…