Doctors discover a possible cause of cancer metastasis

Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg have discovered why tumor removal can promote metastasis and how this can be prevented or at least curbed in the future.

Heidelberg (Deutschland). That German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg (DKFZ) discovered a substance that is said to be responsible for the formation of metastases after the removal of a tumor. The starting point of the research was the observation that, particularly in the case of breast cancer and melanoma, metastases often form after tumor removal.

On the contrary, according to experts, this fact means that the original cancer outbreak, which in medicine is also referred to as the primary tumor, can suppress the formation and growth of metastases. According to the researchers, who have studied the phenomenon further, a large number of metastases form only when the primary tumor is removed.

The tumor messenger could prevent metastasis from forming

After extensive research, the DKFZ scientists were able to identify the messenger substance called angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPLT4), which cancer cells release into the patient’s blood. According to the researchers, this suppresses the formation of metastases.

Experiments with mice have already confirmed this theory and the results suggest that this also applies to humans. However, this requires further research and therefore clinical trials.

The messenger substance could support cancer therapy

At the top of the list of researchers is the more detailed examination of the messenger substance. Ideally, this can be used in future cancer therapy after doctors have removed the primary tumor from a cancer patient. According to the researchers, this could then prevent, slow or delay the formation of life-threatening metastases.