Link between embryo growth and cancer holds promise for future research

Jan 30, 2007

Researchers at the Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research have noticed a similarity between cancer cell growth and embryotic cell development, a discovery that might prove beneficial in the development of future cancer treatments. By further studying the connection between early human development and the growth of cancer cells, researchers hope they can find the “off switch” to the mechanism that causes cancer to spread.

Ninety percent of cancer deaths result from metastasis, or the spread of cancer from the initial tumor. Embryos multiply and relocate cells in much the same way cancer cells do, but unlike cancer, embryos eventually switch off the rapid multiplication of cells. By understanding how embryos do this, researchers hope to mimic these controls in cancer. Animal studies of some drug compounds are already underway.

Source: St. Petersburg Times