Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis (USA) have discovered that stress causes blood cells called neutrophils to form sticky, web-like structures that make tissues more susceptible to cancer metastasis. Research results published In the journal Cancer Cell.
In the study, scientists exposed a group of laboratory mice with breast cancer to special conditions to simulate chronic stress. The scientists then took blood samples from the rodents to assess the metabolic changes occurring in their bodies. Tests showed that when under stress, white blood cells called neutrophils begin to clump together and form sticky, web-like structures.
Researchers found that the formation of such structures in tissues makes them vulnerable to cancer metastasis. This has been demonstrated by the movement of cancer cells from the chest area into the lungs of rodents.
It is stated that the network-like structures formed by neutrophils are called meshwork or extracellular traps of neutrophil cells. They act as a type of net to “catch” invading pathogenic microorganisms. However, in cancer, such networks create a suitable environment for metastasis.
Scientists have suggested that the development of new drugs that target neutrophil cell traps could improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment when the disease has not begun to metastasize.
Previously was named The reason why elderly people are prone to pancreatic cancer.