Molecule 'helps cancer to spread'

Cancer cells can spread rapidly through the body

Scientists believe they may have found a way to stop cancer from spreading through the body.

They have discovered that a molecule called 5T4 plays a key role in helping the disease to spread.

This molecule is present in cancer cells. However, up until now its function has not been fully understood.

Scientists at Cancer Research UK have now started tests to see if they can stop this molecule and stop cancer cells from spreading.

Cancer molecule

Professor Peter Stern and colleagues at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Manchester based their findings on tests on "stem" cells from mouse embryos, which they had grown in the laboratory.

They analysed these cells to see if they had the 5T4 molecule.

The new study has highlighted a potentially exciting strategy to prevent cancer from spreading Professor Robert Souhami, Cancer Research UK

They found that the stem cells did not normally have this molecule. However, they began to produce it when they started to transform into other cells.

This process made cells spread out on the surface of culture plates, in a similar way to cancer cells moving out from a tumour.

"We think we've found a common factor in the movement of embryonic cells during development and of cancer cells during the spread of the disease," said Professor Stern.

The scientists are already carrying out further research to see if they stop this molecule in stem cells.

If they were able to do this, it would raise hopes that it could also be achieved in people with cancer.

"We're already using the fact that 5t4 is found in cancer cells, but not in normal tissue, to design immunotherapy against it and are testing two such systems in clinical trials," said Professor Stern.

"Our recent work has pinpointed the function of 5T4 and raises the possibility of new treatments to prevent the disease from spreading."

'Valuable tool'

Professor Stern said the discovery could also help boost research into stem cells and other diseases.

"The presence of this molecule seems to accurately predict whether a stem cell will be any good for regenerating tissues or not.

"That could be a valuable tool to bring stem cell research forward and use it to treat cancer and other diseases."

Professor Robert Souhami, director of clinical research at Cancer Research UK, welcomed the study.

"Many of the processes which allow tumours to grow and cancer cells to spread around the body are controlled by the same molecules which also help to shape the growth and development of a human embryo.

"By studying fundamental developmental biology, the new study has highlighted a potentially exciting strategy to prevent cancer from spreading - one of the great challenges faced by scientists."