Bone marrow feeds tumors

2001/11/07 Carton Virto, Eider - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Medikuntza

Until now, tumors were considered to feed on nearby cells, that is, they fed venous cells in the area to form their veins. But in the last three years there have been discoveries that suggest that the origin of cells is different. In 1999, for example, the absence of veins was observed in mice tumors lacking the genetic group Id1-4. Theoretically, Id genes are in the embryonic phase and participate in the formation of veins, but after birth they are deactivated forever.

As a result of these studies, a group of researchers from New York have studied whether the Id genes may have anything to do with tumor growth and have concluded that the response may be affirmative. The research involved the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University School of Medicine and ImClone Systems. To do this, mice without genus Id have been used that cannot form veins in tumors. Mice have been given bone metrics with Id genes and introduced tumors under the skin. In a few hours they have found that bone marrow cells migrated to the tumor.

Until now it was thought that bone marrow cells hardly participate in venous tumor growth, but this study can radically change the outlook. According to the authors, the entire venous network of tumors is made up of bone marrow cells and Id genes may be involved in the process. Researchers have developed an antibody that prevents bone marrow cells from receiving signals from tumors. With the antibody they have managed to prevent venous growth of tumors.