Early detection is a key factor in combating various types of cancer. Swiss researchers’ findings on signaling pathways between affected cells could lead to a significant improvement in diagnoses.
The team from the University of Zurich has identified a signaling pathway that converts cells into aggressive tumor cells. The signaling pathway controls the transformation of the upper layer of cells in the skin and mucous membranes, the so-called epithelial cells. As the cancer progresses, the cells start their own program and become invasive, the University of Zurich announced on Wednesday.
Researchers: “Promising treatment approach”
The discovery of these signaling pathways could help in the early detection and treatment of patients with skin, colon, bladder and esophageal cancer. “Our results suggest that influencing the cancer-specific branch of TNF-α signaling could be a promising approach for the treatment of patients with epithelial carcinomas,” says team leader Ataman Sendöl from the Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
The cancer-specific TNF-α signaling program correlates with the aggressiveness of tumors: the more active it is, the lower the patient’s chances of survival. The activity of the signaling program could also serve as a biomarker to assess the prognosis of patients with epithelial carcinomas.
Source: Krone
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