A new study reveals how to characterize the black box of malignant melanoma -
When malignant melanoma metastasis to the brain, it is a death sentence for most patients. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest of skin cancer and the mechanisms that govern the growth and interactions of metastatic cells with the brain microenvironment early metastatic remain shrouded in mystery.
A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals a new way to detect brain micrometastases months before they become malignant inoperable tumors. According to research, the micro-tumor cells hijack astrogliosis, the natural response of the brain to damage or injury to support the metastatic growth. This knowledge can lead to the detection of brain cancer in its early stages and allow early intervention.
The study was led by Dr. Neta Erez of Pathology Department at TAU Sackler Faculty of Medicine and published in Cancer Research .
After the cancer path
Dr. Erez and his team used mouse models to study and monitor the spontaneous metastasis of melanoma in the brain. She and her partners recapitulated all stages of metastasis. The initial discovery of the melanoma in the skin, the elimination of the primary tumor, the micrometastases spread of cancer cells throughout the body, the discovery of a tumor and death
The detection of metastases depends on the imaging techniques that can not always detect micrometastases. the melanoma patients whose initial melanoma was excised believe that all is well for months or years following the initial procedure.
But after removal of the primary tumor, the cells micrometastatic learn to communicate with cells in their new microenvironment in the brain - cells that are at first hostile to them. But finally a tumor appears. These cells traveled through the body to the brain or other organs, but were undetectable at the micro level. When they become detectable, it is too late for treatment.
Opening of the "black box"
Dr. Erez called the period of initial growth micrometastatic cells scattered in distant organs metastasis "black box" - history of melanoma in the brain. "We think we found the tools to characterize this black box," said Dr. Erez. "And it is essential to develop therapeutic approaches that can prevent brain metastatic relapse.
"Every organ in the body has a defense system that detects intruders," said Dr. Erez. "Much of this is controlled by support cells in the brain. When there is tissue damage due to stroke or viral infection, these cells are activated and induce an inflammatory response.
"in the early stages of metastasis, we already see astrogliosis and the 'inflammation. The brain perceives the invasion micrometastases as tissue damage, activation of inflammation -. its natural defense mechanism we found that inflammation, unfortunately, hijacked by tumor cells that are able to grow faster and penetrate deeper because the blood vessels in the brain are more permeable than in any other part of the body. We found that this happens very soon. "
Dr. Erez currently studying the detailed molecular pathways in the biological response of the brain to find a way to block metastasis." We hope to develop detection tools for humans that we developed in mice " said Dr. Erez. "We also try to find molecular targets that will allow us to prevent metastasis rather than trying to treat it."
A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals a new way to detect brain micrometastases months before they become malignant inoperable tumors. According to research, the micro-tumor cells hijack astrogliosis, the natural response of the brain to damage or injury to support the metastatic growth. This knowledge can lead to the detection of brain cancer in its early stages and allow early intervention.
The study was led by Dr. Neta Erez of Pathology Department at TAU Sackler Faculty of Medicine and published in Cancer Research .
After the cancer path
Dr. Erez and his team used mouse models to study and monitor the spontaneous metastasis of melanoma in the brain. She and her partners recapitulated all stages of metastasis. The initial discovery of the melanoma in the skin, the elimination of the primary tumor, the micrometastases spread of cancer cells throughout the body, the discovery of a tumor and death
The detection of metastases depends on the imaging techniques that can not always detect micrometastases. the melanoma patients whose initial melanoma was excised believe that all is well for months or years following the initial procedure.
But after removal of the primary tumor, the cells micrometastatic learn to communicate with cells in their new microenvironment in the brain - cells that are at first hostile to them. But finally a tumor appears. These cells traveled through the body to the brain or other organs, but were undetectable at the micro level. When they become detectable, it is too late for treatment.
Opening of the "black box"
Dr. Erez called the period of initial growth micrometastatic cells scattered in distant organs metastasis "black box" - history of melanoma in the brain. "We think we found the tools to characterize this black box," said Dr. Erez. "And it is essential to develop therapeutic approaches that can prevent brain metastatic relapse.
"Every organ in the body has a defense system that detects intruders," said Dr. Erez. "Much of this is controlled by support cells in the brain. When there is tissue damage due to stroke or viral infection, these cells are activated and induce an inflammatory response.
"in the early stages of metastasis, we already see astrogliosis and the 'inflammation. The brain perceives the invasion micrometastases as tissue damage, activation of inflammation -. its natural defense mechanism we found that inflammation, unfortunately, hijacked by tumor cells that are able to grow faster and penetrate deeper because the blood vessels in the brain are more permeable than in any other part of the body. We found that this happens very soon. "
Dr. Erez currently studying the detailed molecular pathways in the biological response of the brain to find a way to block metastasis." We hope to develop detection tools for humans that we developed in mice " said Dr. Erez. "We also try to find molecular targets that will allow us to prevent metastasis rather than trying to treat it."
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