A significant breakthrough in the study of metastasis has been achieved by scientists in New York. Using an innovative mouse model known as “EvoCaP” and advanced genetic tracking technology, researchers were able to map the movement of cancer cells in the body, focusing on prostate cancer. The research revealed that only a small proportion of these cells migrate to other organs, while the majority remain in the primary tumor. This discovery opens up new possibilities for the development of targeted treatments capable of blocking the spread of cancer in the body.
The impact of new technology
Metastasis, the process by which cancer cells spread from the original tumor to other parts of the body, is a leading cause of death in cancer patients. Understanding how these cells travel and establish themselves in new organs is crucial to developing more effective therapies. The new technology used in this study allowed scientists to track the journey of tumor cells in unprecedented detail, offering valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying metastasis.
Research details
The research was conducted at the Sloan Kettering Institute and published in the renowned journal Nature. The team of scientists used a technique called clonal lineage tracing, which allows the identification of the origins and fate of individual cells over time. Applied to the “EvoCaP” mouse model, which simulates human prostate cancer, this approach revealed that while the majority of cancer cells do not leave the original tumor, a small fraction of them manage to migrate to distant organs, such as bones, lungs and liver.
Implications for cancer treatment
These findings could revolutionize the way metastatic cancer is treated. Understanding that only a few cells are responsible for the spread opens up new possibilities for developing therapies focused on preventing this process. The study could also help improve early diagnosis of metastasis, identifying potential routes of spread before the cancer establishes itself in other organs.
Furthermore, the researchers highlight that this technology could be adapted to study other types of cancer, such as breast and lung, which could expand the impact of this discovery beyond prostate cancer.
Conclusion
With the ability to accurately map the pathways of cancer cells, this new technology could provide the basis for more effective treatments against metastasis, one of the greatest threats to cancer patients. Although still in the preclinical phase, the results obtained so far are promising and offer hope for new therapeutic approaches to combat cancer progression.
