Migrating cancer cells could use a nose job—not for appearances’ sake, but to cut down on metastasis. A pronounced nose, which indicates a high degree of polarization, isn’t found on every cancer cell that breaks free of a tumor and enters the circulatory system. But the more polarized cancer cells do seem to be better at invading tissues and settling at body sites, some of which may be far from the primary tumor. The ability of circulating cancer cells to nose into body tissues has been investigated by scientists based at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). According to these scientists, metastatic potential correlates with degree of polarization, the extent to which a cell organizes its structural components to support an asymmetric pose. Measurements of polarization, the scientists propose, could help clinicians predict metastasis in cancer patients. Also, polarization-reducing drugs could help prevent metastasis. Polarization, it ...
Original Article: Migrating Cancer Cells Follow Their Noses into Body Tissues