Treatment developed to prevent appearance of tumour metastasis
Researchers at Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Belgium have succeeded in pinpointing a family of pharmaceutical compounds whose action prevents the appearance of tumour metastasis. Metastasis is the strategy adopted by tumour cells to transform into an aggressive form of cancer.
The work was undertaken by Professor Pierre Sonveaux and achieved this tour de force by studying the mitochondria in tumour cells. These organelles are considered as the cells’ power station. Yet when their functioning is altered in tumour cells, the mitochondria can promote cell migration, thus leading to the formation of metastasis.
The scientists examined the molecular mechanism responsible for the mitochondria’s ability to promote metastasis. They succeeded in showing that, under certain conditions, the mitochondria produce more free radicals known as superoxide ions. It is this overproduction of superoxide that leads to the formation of metastasis and, consequently, the growth of a tumour.
Involved in other human pathologies such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, the production of superoxide by the mitochondria can be blocked by very specific antioxidants such as MitoTEMPO. Used in models of murine and human tumours, the compounds were efficient at blocking the migration of tumour cells and preventing the spontaneous formation of human tumour metastasis in mice.
This research was part-funded by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council. It’s hoped the research could help develop preventive treatment against tumour metastasis. The results of the study are published in the journal Cell Reports.
