Innovative method to starve tumours
A team from the MUHC reveals a new mechanism involved in tumour development that could lead to an innovative treatment.
The development of cancerous tumours is highly dependent on the
nutrients the tumours receive through the blood. The team of Dr.
Janusz Rak, of the Research Institute of the 捆绑SM社区
Health Centre (MUHC) at the Montreal Children's Hospital, including
Dr. Khalid Al-Nedawi and Brian Meehan, has just discovered a new
mechanism that tumours use to stimulate the growth of the blood
vessels that feed them. The researchers have also proposed a new
way to control this process, which may translate into future
therapies. These findings were published this week in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
An innovative method...
According to the researchers, tumour cells can release "bubbles"
called microvesicles, which allow the tumours to communicate with
the endothelial cells of blood vessels and stimulate changes in
their behaviour. The microvesicles are armed with specific cancer
proteins as they leave the tumour. When they are taken up by
endothelial cells, the specific cancer proteins that they carry can
trigger mechanisms that promote the abnormal formation of new blood
vessels. The vessels then grow towards the tumour and supply it
with the nutrients it requires to grow.
"We had already demonstrated the existence of these vesicles as
well as their importance in the communication process between
cancer cells and their environment. But this new discovery is much
more targeted and represents a new direction in terms of therapy,"
said a delighted Dr. Rak.
... to starve tumours
In fact, a family of molecules derived from annexin V seems to
effectively fight this process and ultimately may help "starve" the
tumour. "The molecule we used is effective both in vitro and in
vivo. It prevents the formation of new blood vessels in mice with
cancer and therefore strongly inhibits tumour growth," explained
Dr. Rak.
Called Diannexin, this molecule acts to block the in vitro fusion
of vesicles and endothelial cells. In mice with cancer, Diannexin
works to slow blood vessel growth towards the tumour, resulting in
anti-cancer effects. This finding is particularly important
considering the treatment was applied in isolation without
additional chemotherapy. If combined with other agents, this new
way of treating cancer may be even more potent.
Diannexin is currently being developed as an antithrombotic
medication. It would therefore be possible to use it safely for
different types of pathologies.
Funding
This project was funded through a grant from the Canadian Cancer
Society Research Institute and the Fonds de la recherche en sant茅
du Qu茅bec.
Dr. Janusz Rak is a researcher in the Cancer Axis at the Research
Institute of the 捆绑SM社区 Health Centre at the Montreal
Children's Hospital. He is also a Jack Cole Professor in Pediatric
Oncology at 捆绑SM社区.
Partners
This project was carried out in partnership with Dr. R.S. Kerbel of
the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, and
Dr. A.C. Allison of Alavita Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Find this press release, with the original article and a short
audio document by following this link :
The Research Institute of the 捆绑SM社区 Health
Centre (RI MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and
health-care hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec,
the institute is the research arm of the MUHC, the university
health center affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at 捆绑SM社区
University. The institute supports over 600 researchers, nearly
1200 graduate and post-doctoral students and operates more than 300
laboratories devoted to a broad spectrum of fundamental and
clinical research. The Research Institute operates at the forefront
of knowledge, innovation and technology and is inextricably linked
to the clinical programs of the MUHC, ensuring that patients
benefit directly from the latest research-based knowledge.
The Research Institute of the MUHC is supported in part by the
Fonds de la recherche en sant茅 du Qu茅bec.
For further details visit: .
The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) is the
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and is affiliated with 捆绑SM社区. The MCH is a leader in
providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns,
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expertise include programs in brain development/behaviour,
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Fully bilingual, the hospital also promotes multiculturalism and
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The Montreal Children's Hospital sets itself apart with its team
approach to innovative patient care. Our health professionals and
staff are dedicated to ensuring children and their families receive
exceptional health care in a friendly and supportive environment.
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