University of Liverpool. UK: Scientists at the University of Liverpool have shown that supplying
cancer cells with more oxygen may not prevent them spreading around the
body, as originally thought. Research, published in the journal, Oncogenesis, has shown
that cells have a ‘memory’ of an oxygen deprived environment, which,
despite them having access to oxygen in their current state, could still
trigger the production of genes that degrade the structure holding them
in one area of the body.
It is thought that cells that have a plentiful supply of oxygen are
less likely to spread around the body, but new findings from Liverpool
have shown that cells, with previous experience of oxygen deprivation,
can still produce the genes that help them move around the body.
Some of the genes that are produced as a result of oxygen deprivation
are sticky; if they are less sticky than neighbouring cells, they can
detach from the tumour and move towards the blood vessels, where they
can attach to the vessel wall.
Monitoring the environment
Dr Violaine See, from the University’s Institute of Translational
Medicine, said: “Therapies targeting cancer spread are challenging due
to the complexity of the way the process works and the high number of
variables involved.
“Although tumours that are deprived of oxygen have previously been
associated with increased aggressiveness as well as resistance to radio
and chemotherapy, the understanding of a direct link between the level
and duration of hypoxia and the individual steps involved in cancer
spread was still missing.
“Our tests with animal cells show that even those cells that have
good oxygen supply can ‘remember’ a previous environment where they did
not have access oxygen; they may also be influenced by the capabilities
of neighbouring cells, encouraging movement towards the blood vessels.”
The research highlights the need to monitor the cellular environment
in the body to help predict the consequences of the cells’ history on
their future behaviour and their potential response to therapies.
The research is published in Nature.