In order to invade different parts of the body, cancer cells switch between modes of moving. They do this by copying the movement of healthy cells. Depending on the tissue the cancer cells encounter, they need to move in different ways. Invasive cancers have learned both methods of movement and switch between them to suit their environment. Scientists say that being able to switch is likely to be the most important factor in making a cancer cell dangerous. In order to find out how the cells do this,scientists studied cells moving in the egg sac of fruit flies and tweaked the fly genes, altering the proteins they create. This allowed them to work out which proteins are important for movement. Next, they searched to see if any of those they identified also go awry in cancer, hitting upon a bundle called the STRIPAK complex. In many cancers, the gene that codes for these proteins is mutated.
Scientists have uncovered what could be a "cornerstone" of cancer's invasive behavior. "Whilst still far removed from a direct application at the bedside, this study opens new doors for therapeutic developments that could be applicable to a broad range of solid cancers,"
I find it interesting that the cancer cells almost have some kind of strategy in order to invade the body efficiently. This is a good lead in the study of cancer because it could help scientists to more understand cancer cells and how they work.
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