Shaping cancer cells are the reason for metastases

Pancreatic cancer: Transient tumor cells are more dangerous

As a result of pancreatic cancer (pancreatic cancer), there are often metastases in the lungs or liver. German scientists have now recognized the reason for this relationship. The adaptability of cancer cells plays a crucial role in metastasis. Form-transforming tumor cells represent a particular danger. They detach from the cancerous tissue, travel with the blood to other organs and adapt to the new conditions there.

A research team from the Technical University of Munich recently presented the latest findings in its cancer research. The focus of the scientists was on the formation of metastases. The researchers discovered particularly dangerous cancer cells, which have a better ability to transform their form and thus can spread more effectively in other organs. The study results were published in the journal "Developmental Cell".

German researchers discover new mechanisms in metastasis. Some cancer cells are particularly good at modifying and adapting to metastases faster. (Image: vitanovski / fotolia.com)

Form-transforming tumor cells cause metastases faster

As the experts report, tumor cells are linked together in a cobblestone-like composite. When metastases form, cancer cells must first detach from this composite. The researchers say some cells do better than others. For example, the study documented how some cancer cells managed to alter their shape, properties, and metabolism in order to break away from the tumor cell structure.

Adaptable decides on metastasis

The altered tumor cells took on a narrower and more elongated shape and could use the blood as a means of transport to reach other organs. Once there, according to the Munich scientists again a change is necessary to form metastases. In this case, the ability to form contacts with cells in the field is decisive, so that the cancer cell can become "sedentary".

Liver is particularly threatened by morphing tumor cells

"We were able to show that, above all, liver involvement depends on the plasticity of the tumor cell," reports Dr. med. Maximilian Reichert, research group leader and first author of the study in a press release on the new findings. If the cancer cells could not make contact with other cells, they would passively be flushed with the bloodstream further into the lungs, where they eventually get stuck. For patients, this is a more favorable course, as lung tumors can be better controlled, so the expert.

Molecular glue makes tumor cells more dangerous

A particular protein called E-cadherin is responsible for the mutability, according to the study. This protein acts like an adhesive that helps some tumor cells to cling to new tissue better. In a mouse model, the experts were able to show that the absence of the protein means that tumor cells from the pancreas can only enter the lungs and not "dock" to the liver. However, if the protein was present, the cancerous cells could also affect the liver.

Program the cancer cells themselves?

The research team found that the process of cell change is controlled by a so-called epigenetic program. In the process, certain sections of the DNA are read more or less strongly, thus initiating the decisive change. The decoding of such programs is now the focus of upcoming investigations.

Point of attack for new cancer therapies?

The team led by Maximilian Reichert is now starting a new research to determine whether such epigenetic programs can be inhibited or used as a target for treatment. "The better we understand the formation of metastases, the sooner we can influence them," summarizes Reichert. Especially in the case of pancreatic cancer, this is important because almost all those affected die from the metastases. (Vb)