Want to understand why cancer cells metastasize? Think of Sparta.
Ancient Greek warriors were fed a special diet that better prepared them for the demands of battle on distant fields. Cancer cells that metastasize may do the same thing according to a new study revealing previously unknown differences between cancer cells that continue to grow at the original tumor site, and those that travel to other organs.
Given that a cancer cell’s unyielding ability to metastasize is the primary cause of cancer-related death, understanding how they successfully migrate can be lifesaving.
Scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that cancer cells traveling to other sites have different energy needs from their “stay-at-home” siblings which continue to proliferate at the original tumor site. The study results are in the Sept. 21 online edition of Nature Cell Biology.
The reason may lie with the protein, PGC-1α, a type of transcription co-activator crucial to regulation of cellular metabolism. PGC-1α appears to play a role in how cancer cells are able to acquire unique energy sources that allow them to travel and spread cancer in the body.
“New therapy strategies are beginning to focus on the unique vulnerabilities of cancer cell metabolism. Determining the metabolic requirements of invasive cancer cells could be of therapeutic value,” said Valerie LeBleu, Ph.D., assistant professor of cancer biology at MD Anderson and lead author of the Nature Cell Biology paper. “We found that invading cancer cells rely on mitochondria during their transition to other cancer sites.”
Cancer cells use PGC-1α to stimulate the growth of new mitochondria, the cell’s “power plants” that generate ATP, an energy “currency” used by cells to grow. Metastasizing cells also rely on PGC-1α for a process known as oxidative phosphorylation that boosts ATP during the cell’s journey to other sites. If mitochondria is the kitchen, then PGC-1α is the chef, ATP the entreé and oxidative phosphorylation a key ingredient. This overall process, mitochondria respiration, allows some cancer cells to harness the required energy to survive the hostile journey through tumor and normal issue, blood vessels, and entry into new organs.
In other words, some cancer cells are programmed to eat at home, while others have a special diet that allows them to travel to other sites. If there was a therapeutic way to stop the migrating cells from packing a lunch ahead of time, it could potentially halt their journey. Suppressing PGC-1α appears to accomplish this.
“The most dangerous cancer cells are the ones that can efficiently move and find a new home,” said Raghu Kalluri, M.D., Ph.D., chair of cancer biology and an investigator on the study. “The study revealed a strong correlation between PGC-1α expression in invasive cancer cells and the formation of distant metastases in breast cancer patients.”
Story Source:
… Continue reading here.
Diet And Weight Loss News — Sciencedaily
— Courtesy “Science News Daily” (ScienceNewsDaily.com)
I was happy to be the first with a fitness youtube video to Gangnam so wanted to try to be at least one of the first few of what will sure be hundreds of fit…
Earth Therapeutics CIRCU-FLO Health Socks, Medium/Large, 1 pr
Circuflo Odor Absorbing Health Socks br U.S Women s 8.5-11 br feel the flo…naturally ventilated mesh weave 2 arch support 1 non-resistance cuff 6 reinforced to cup and pad the heel for durable comfort and fit 5 moderate cushion for comfortable support 4 reinforced toe with a flat-knit seam for increased comfort and protection Naturally… Controls Odor – Bamboo fabric is odor absorbing, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal 1 Keeps Feet Dry + Comfortable – Ventilated weave wicks away moisture to keep feet dry + comfortable 4 Regulates Foot Temperature – Breathable so that Feet feel warm in cool weather – cool in warm weather 3 Stimulates + Revitalizes – Bamboo fabric uses natural far-infrared reflection to promote foot circulation -Premium Grade 200 Thread Count br -Selective Reinforced, Ventilated Weave for the Ultimate in Comfort and Protection
Price: $ 15.00
Sold by drugstore.com
Natural Fitness Eco-Smart Yoga Mat (4mm)
It doesn`t take a genius. If you are going to get up close and personal with your yoga mat bowing in a child`s pose or scooping into an upward facing dog you better make sure the mat doesn`t contain any harmful or toxic chemicals. That`s why wise guys and gals opt for Natural FItness Eco-Smart Yoga mat. Made from Polymer Environmental Resin (PER) an innovative material that is safer for the planet and your health than yoga mats made from standard PVC foam this mat is for those that think the world of the environment.FEATURES:Made from a non-toxic foam materialPerfect choice for beginnersNon-slip traction
List Price: $ 20.00
Price: $ 17.99
[wpramazon asin=”B00KZ3NGHQ”]
You Can Help Your Child Get More Exercise By Following These 5 Tips
Does your child get enough exercise? You can get your children more active with these 5 fun parenting tips.
Better Health in Four Steps
In just four steps, you can improve your health for the better and this article will show you how. The steps below are bite-sized nuggets of health information you can actually use to live a healthy life. Here we go… Nutritional supplements are the first step As far as I’m concerned, they are very important […]
Top 4 Nutrition Predictions in the New Year
Several food and nutrition trends were in the spotlight this year, including the continued rise of plant-based diets, non-dairy ice creams and superfoods that are blasts from the past — legumes, apples and cabbage. It can be easy to experience nutrition whiplash in the New Year, but don’t be a victim. Get a jump-start on […]
Want to lose weight? Research proves a big breakfast is the first step
If you want to lose weight, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans desire to shed pounds, according to Gallup. This goal inspires people to take action in many ways, from increasing exercise to modifying meals. One thing many people do is skip breakfast in order to lower calorie intake. While this may seem […]
