The Sex - Cancer patients are
often encouraged to be less stress in dealing with the disease because it can
trigger a bad reaction to the immune system. A study confirms that stress can
trigger breast cancer cells to spread and invade the bone.
A new study in Australia also reveal how breast cancer cells can destroy a very strong immune response in the body and let the disease spread to other body parts like bones.
A research report published journal PLoS Biology, reveal that the activation of the sympathetic nervous system that respond to stress is a trigger factor of breast cancer cells spread to bone. Fortunately, the emergence of cancer cells in the bone can be prevented using propranolol, a drug for heart disease and high blood pressure.
"Metastasis, or spread of cancer cells to other organs are more likely to kill patients than breast tumor itself. Prevent metastasis is the real goal that we want to accomplish," said the researchers, Florent Elefteriou, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology Center as reported by Eurekalert , Monday (07/23/2012).
The team of researchers from the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology knew from previous studies that the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the bone to perform remodeling. This process uses several signaling molecules are also involved in breast cancer metastasis to bone.
"We finally arrive at the hypothesis that activation of the sympathetic nerves and the bone will remodel the environment makes it possible for cancer cells to metastasize there," added Elefteriou.
These findings are also supported by clinical evidence is strong. Breast cancer patients who experience stress or depression after treatment tended to be shorter survival. Stress or depression will activate the sympathetic nervous system.
To explore the various relationships that exist, the researchers studied the metastasis of cancer cells in mice. The researchers monitored human breast cancer cells that have been marked and then injected into rat hearts in order to metastasize and spread through the bloodstream.
Apparently, treating mice with a drug that mimics the activation of the sympathetic nervous system would likely lead to more cancer cells into bone. The same thing happens if you use a physical control to suppress mouse and activates the sympathetic nervous system.
However, treating mice with propranolol, a drug used to treat the blood pressure is called "beta-blocker ', powerful enough to reduce the number of cancer cells that invade the bone.
The researchers showed that activation of the sympathetic nervous system increases levels of a signaling molecule called RANKL, a molecule known to trigger the formation of osteoclasts, the bone cells that break down bone tissue and is involved in cell migration. The researchers were able to show that breast cancer cells to migrate to the bone is dependent on RANKL.
The findings suggest that beta-blockers or drugs that interfere with RANKL signaling, such as denosumab, will be beneficial for preventing breast cancer metastasis to bone. Propranolol and other beta-blockers are less expensive also safe for most patients.
"This drug could be a good choice for long-term treatment if other studies confirm its ability to block cancer cell metastasis to bone. If a simple drug like beta blockers can prevent cancer metastasis to bone, it will be able to treat millions of patients around the world," Elefteriou said.
A new study in Australia also reveal how breast cancer cells can destroy a very strong immune response in the body and let the disease spread to other body parts like bones.
A research report published journal PLoS Biology, reveal that the activation of the sympathetic nervous system that respond to stress is a trigger factor of breast cancer cells spread to bone. Fortunately, the emergence of cancer cells in the bone can be prevented using propranolol, a drug for heart disease and high blood pressure.
"Metastasis, or spread of cancer cells to other organs are more likely to kill patients than breast tumor itself. Prevent metastasis is the real goal that we want to accomplish," said the researchers, Florent Elefteriou, Ph.D., director of the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology Center as reported by Eurekalert , Monday (07/23/2012).
The team of researchers from the Vanderbilt Center for Bone Biology knew from previous studies that the sympathetic nervous system stimulates the bone to perform remodeling. This process uses several signaling molecules are also involved in breast cancer metastasis to bone.
"We finally arrive at the hypothesis that activation of the sympathetic nerves and the bone will remodel the environment makes it possible for cancer cells to metastasize there," added Elefteriou.
These findings are also supported by clinical evidence is strong. Breast cancer patients who experience stress or depression after treatment tended to be shorter survival. Stress or depression will activate the sympathetic nervous system.
To explore the various relationships that exist, the researchers studied the metastasis of cancer cells in mice. The researchers monitored human breast cancer cells that have been marked and then injected into rat hearts in order to metastasize and spread through the bloodstream.
Apparently, treating mice with a drug that mimics the activation of the sympathetic nervous system would likely lead to more cancer cells into bone. The same thing happens if you use a physical control to suppress mouse and activates the sympathetic nervous system.
However, treating mice with propranolol, a drug used to treat the blood pressure is called "beta-blocker ', powerful enough to reduce the number of cancer cells that invade the bone.
The researchers showed that activation of the sympathetic nervous system increases levels of a signaling molecule called RANKL, a molecule known to trigger the formation of osteoclasts, the bone cells that break down bone tissue and is involved in cell migration. The researchers were able to show that breast cancer cells to migrate to the bone is dependent on RANKL.
The findings suggest that beta-blockers or drugs that interfere with RANKL signaling, such as denosumab, will be beneficial for preventing breast cancer metastasis to bone. Propranolol and other beta-blockers are less expensive also safe for most patients.
"This drug could be a good choice for long-term treatment if other studies confirm its ability to block cancer cell metastasis to bone. If a simple drug like beta blockers can prevent cancer metastasis to bone, it will be able to treat millions of patients around the world," Elefteriou said.
