Cancer that splits and develops in new organs around the body becomes significantly more difficult to fight. Now, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have shown that these metastatic cancers, that spread from the original, adapt their metabolism to the tissue in which they grow. The discovery represents a breakthrough in the understanding of metastatic cancer and is an important piece of the puzzle in the search for more effective treatments.
Cancer cells require proteins that bind copper ions in order to develop and spread throughout the human body. Recent studies on the interactions between proteins and how they bind to metals in cancer-related proteins have revealed possible new therapeutic targets.
Study revealed why metal copper are required by human cells to perform essential biological functions. The conclusion drawn from studies demonstrating higher copper levels in tumor cells and blood serum from cancer patients is that cancer cells require more copper than healthy cells.
Small amounts of the metal copper are required by human cells to perform essential biological functions. The conclusion drawn from studies demonstrating higher copper levels in tumor cells and blood serum from cancer patients is that cancer cells require more copper than healthy cells.
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