Growing and moving
Scientists and doctors at QMUL and around the world are trying to understand more about the way that cancer cells move and grow in our bodies so that they can invent new treatments to kill the cancer cells.
Cancer is caused by damage to the genes in your cells. These cells do not die when they are supposed to because the genes that make cells die have been changed. This means that the cells will multiply uncontrollably.
Cancer cells often form in parts of the body that are constantly growing new cells to replace dead ones, such as the skin and stomach lining. This is because these types of cells are constantly copying their DNA and increasing in number, making it more likely that mistakes will be made.
Two cancer cells that are invading extracellular matrix in the lab are cut open to show their nuclei. See their tiny pink extensions.
Cancer cells often move away from the lining tissues to other areas of the body such as the lungs, brain and liver where they can cause very serious damage.
Fran Balkwill and team study the different ways cancer cells move around the body. Normal immune system cells will move around the body using a chemical attraction system called the chemokine system. Cancer cells can also move by using this chemokine system.
Some cancer cells that form clumps of cells or tumours in the lungs, large intestines and the breast will use feet-like extensions to roll themselves through tissue to the blood vessels or lymph system. Once there, they can use the blood and lymph systems to spread around the body.
Once established, a small tumour will imitate normal tissue and recruit its own blood supply so that it can grow bigger and cause damage.
