Researchers at Milan's
National Cancer Institute have identified the mechanism
responsible for metastasis in breast cancer, an article in
Cancer Research medical journal reported Tuesday.
This mechanism is "of vital importance" in understanding
how cancer spreads, and can aid in the search for an effective
cure, experts said.
The mechanism is based on a protein called osteopontin,
which normally regulates processes related to cell survival, but
which takes on a double role when found within a tumor.
"When produced by a cancerous cell, osteopontin helps
ensure its survival in a hostile world," researchers explained.
"When produced by cancer cells that are in the process of
metastasizing, or spreading to other organs, osteopontin
protects them from the immune system".
The study was conducted firs on animals and then on
patients whose breast cancer spread to the lungs.
"This discovery will help develop new medication that can
fight the multiple actions of osteopontin in the development of
mestastasis," the researchers said.
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