Good news from cancer research: Researchers have made a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer metastases

German scientists have discovered an active ingredient that could prevent the formation of metastases.

However, it will still take some time before this is applied.

Around half a million people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer every year.

If the tumor is not detected in time, it can be fatal for many patients.

In addition to a quick diagnosis and the type of cancer, the formation of metastases also influences the chances of recovery.

In order to suppress this, the removal of the original tumor was previously considered the most important step in treatment.

In many patients, however, metastases only form after surgery.

Cancer research: Researchers make breakthrough in suppressing cancer metastases

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Hope for cancer treatment: Scientists have made a breakthrough in the treatment of metastases.

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When cancer develops, actually good cells get out of control.

However, the greatest risk of cancer is often not the original tumour.

Metastases are responsible for around 90 percent of deaths in cancer patients.

If the cells leave the tumor, migrate through the body and settle in other places, this can in many cases reduce the chances of recovery.

Preventing the formation of metastases is therefore one of the most important goals in cancer treatment.

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If life-threatening metastases form after the main tumor has already been removed, physicians speak of so-called "concomitant tumor resistance".

The original tumor therefore suppresses the growth of metastases.

Various messenger substances can be the cause of this.

Researchers at the

and the Mannheim Medical Faculty have now been able to decode which messenger substances the tumor releases into the surrounding tissue.

Cancer research: Certain messenger substances are carcinogenic

In their study, which they published in the journal "Journal

", Hellmut Augustin's team examined the messenger substance angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPLT4).

"We became aware of this messenger substance years ago because there were many studies with different results," study author Hellmut Augustin explained to

Previous studies had already shown that the messenger substance is carcinogenic.

The messenger substance is responsible for the following processes in the body:

• Angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPLT4) is produced by the cells of the primary tumor and supports its growth.

• At the same time, however, ANGPLT4 also appears to inhibit the growth of metastases.

The scientists attribute these two properties to the fact that the messenger splits into two fragments in the body.

The properties that promote the growth of the tumor are located in the so-called c-fragment.

The antitumoral properties, however, in the n-fragment.

Further studies on mice and tumor patients also showed that the c-fragment occurs mainly in the tumor and the n-fragment occurs almost exclusively in the blood.

Cancer research: Further studies needed

According to the researchers, similar observational studies on patients with melanoma showed that when the concentration of the n-fragment in the blood decreased, the survival prognosis of those affected with metastases worsened.

The n-fragment thus has a protective effect.

In mice, the n-fragment also suppressed metastasis formation.

In the long term, this finding could increase the survival prognosis of patients.

Nevertheless, the researchers advise patience.

Although the results are promising, further studies are needed.

The discovery of the substance is an important step in cancer research.

"It cannot yet be deduced from this that we will be able to prevent the formation of metastases in the near future," explained study author Hellmut Augustin.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

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