Starving breast tumors
Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels. This process is normal when it comes to growth and wound healing, but is unwanted in cancer cells. The constant and growing blood supply to tumors allows them to spread metastatically. Researchers are investigating ways to cut off the nutrient and oxygen supply to tumors found in the breast. Tumors with no nutrient supply, or pre-vascularized tumors can grow up to only 2-3 cubic millimeters. If the tumors are this small, they will be easier to eliminate and prevent the growth of cancer cells in the future.
Through research, nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK)has been found to fuel angiogenesis. The cancer cells secrete NDPK into surrounding cells, making it possible for the tumor to grow. Ian Buxton of the University of Nevada verified this fact by treating endothelial cells with NDPK and comparing the rates of angiogenesis to a controlled group of endothelial cells. It was found that the treated cells had an angiogenesis rate which was about 70% faster than in the control group. Buxton then added a P2Y receptor antagonist with the NDPK to another experimental group, finding the angiogenesis levels were almost the same in both groups. P2Y receptor antagonists prevent NDPK from entering the cells.
The method of blocking the NDPK from the P2Y receptors is being further investigated. Obviously, this method would not serve as a good treatment for breast cancer, but it would work well as a preventative therapy after the removal of the tumor. Many women experience a metastatic spread years after the original tumor has been removed. This treatment should prevent cancer cells from reoccurring.
I find this article very interesting because many advances are being made in breast cancer treatment, but the recurrence of breast cancer is still relatively common. The ability to completely eliminate future growth of these cells is an amazing improvement. Hopefully, with the advances in breast cancer treatment we will remove breast cancer from the top 10 list of causes of death in women (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/ Oct 30 2007).
URL:
http://www.medwire-news.md/380/70522/Breast_Cancer/Novel_drugs_could_starve_breast_tumors_of_blood_supply.html
(Oct 25 2007)
Through research, nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK)has been found to fuel angiogenesis. The cancer cells secrete NDPK into surrounding cells, making it possible for the tumor to grow. Ian Buxton of the University of Nevada verified this fact by treating endothelial cells with NDPK and comparing the rates of angiogenesis to a controlled group of endothelial cells. It was found that the treated cells had an angiogenesis rate which was about 70% faster than in the control group. Buxton then added a P2Y receptor antagonist with the NDPK to another experimental group, finding the angiogenesis levels were almost the same in both groups. P2Y receptor antagonists prevent NDPK from entering the cells.
The method of blocking the NDPK from the P2Y receptors is being further investigated. Obviously, this method would not serve as a good treatment for breast cancer, but it would work well as a preventative therapy after the removal of the tumor. Many women experience a metastatic spread years after the original tumor has been removed. This treatment should prevent cancer cells from reoccurring.
I find this article very interesting because many advances are being made in breast cancer treatment, but the recurrence of breast cancer is still relatively common. The ability to completely eliminate future growth of these cells is an amazing improvement. Hopefully, with the advances in breast cancer treatment we will remove breast cancer from the top 10 list of causes of death in women (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics/ Oct 30 2007).
URL:
http://www.medwire-news.md/380/70522/Breast_Cancer/Novel_drugs_could_starve_breast_tumors_of_blood_supply.html
(Oct 25 2007)
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