Media Release Thursday 29 September 2005
ComBio 2005 - Adelaide Convention Centre September 26-29
ADELAIDE RESEARCHERS MAKE NEW FINDING ON SURVIVAL AND SPREAD OF CANCER CELLS
Adelaide researchers have discovered molecular mechanisms that cast new light on how cancer cells may spread from the site of a primary tumor to other parts of the body.
Their study of breast cancer cells, presented at the ComBio 2005 biological sciences conference in Adelaide today, may lead to novel approaches in the treatment and management of cancer.
The research has been carried out by the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science.
Dr Marina Kochetkova, a senior researcher in the University of AdelaideDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, said the research had revealed new information on the function of chemokine receptors on breast cancer cells.
Chemokine receptorsare cell surface molecules that activate specific cellular functions. Their primary function is to direct the healthy migration of cells in the body.
However, the Adelaide researchers have found these receptors appear to play a role in helpingcancer cells to survive for a long time allowing them to migrate and invade other parts of the body in a process known as metastasis.
Metastasis is the most dangerous stage of cancer because the malignant cells have been able to circulate through the lymphatic system, blood stream or body spaces to create secondary tumors.
The most common cause of death from cancer are from secondary tumors.
Dr Kochetkovasaid the research had thrown new light on the role of chemokine receptors in the survival of human breast cancer cells.
“Our results for the first time indicate a potential pathological role for the chemokine receptors in helping break-away cancer cells to survive and migrate to other parts of the body,” she said.
“This finding is novel and exciting, but there is a lot more work to be done because the process of metastasis is very complex.
“We want to know what causes the chemokine receptors to behave in this way, when they intervene and which areas of the body are targeted.
“We are carefully assessing the mechanisms that appear to protect the cancer cells.
“If we can find out what the chemokine receptors to cause the cancer cells to survive, we may be able to develop antagonists that reverse this process.
“There is potential for new ways of intervention in the treatment of breast cancer and other malignancies.”
The ComBio conference at the Adelaide Convention Centre has brought together 900 delegates from around the world to report on new discoveries about diseases that affect millions of people around the world.
ComBio 2005 is a joint meeting of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the Australia and New Zealand Society for Cell and Developmental Biology and the Australian Society of Plant Scientists.
For interview:
Dr Marina Kochetkova is available for interview on (08) 8303 4553
or 0412 538 739.
For further information, please call Trevor Gill on 0418 821948