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Long Distance Damage

Cancers can secrete molecules that affect parts of the body distant from the tumour and cause symptoms – a novel target for treatment

04 October 2021

Long Distance Damage

Smoke from a wildfire can cause harm miles away from the fire itself. And the effects of a tumour can be felt far away in other parts of the body. These long-distance impacts can be as lethal as the cancer itself, so researchers are investigating how they occur. A study found that small proteins called cytokines released by tumours in fruit flies can break down the semi-permeable barrier that usually separates brain and bloodstream. As a result material from the blood (such as the green dye in the brain slice pictured) can seep into the brain, raising infection risk and reducing lifespan. Further tests revealed the same process and outcomes in mice, and found that preventing the barrier breach improved health. Limiting the long distance attacks of cancer could provide a complementary or alternative approach to toxic treatments that tackle the tumour itself, and help keep cancer confined.

Written by Anthony Lewis

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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