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Protein from Lung Cancer Cells Spurs Inflammation To Induce Metastasis - University of California Study Suggests - Description of Versican Protein, Process of Metastasis & Inflammation/Scarring of Lungs

(January 2nd, 2008)

San Diego, California - A medical study team from the Medicine School @ University of California is currently investigating a new protein that is produced by Cancerous lung epithelial cells that can inflammate or at least spur inflammation or scarring of the lungs, leading to spread (metastasis) of lung cancer. Their research will be published on the January 1st, 2009 issue of the Journal of Nature and will detail how Cancer cells that have grown to advanced stages will force the immune system of the body to generate a hostile micro-environment for the spread and scarring of lung cancer. This research could lead to discovery of ways of limiting the metastasis (spread) of this deadly form of Lung cancer, which could significantly reduce the # of lung cancers in the US each year. The protein, known as Versican is known to hijack elements of the immune system that creates inflammation and scarring of the lungs that could lead to spread of lung cancer to other parts or organs within the body. The study spearheaded by Michael Karin of the University of California, San Diego said the findings occured in mice, but the protein is also found in normal human lung cells and other organs/tissues within the body. Versican is known to appear in very aggressive or malignant tumors, when the Cancer has spread far enough such that it cannot be diagnosed or treated properly.

Metastasis stands for "dialectic transformations" and occurs when Cancerous cells spread from the original tumor's location to other organs/parts in the body that are distant. The researchers think their studies could help develop new treatments that can stop the metastasis of lung cancer, probably by blocking Cancer cells from secreting Versican protein. Versican was found to produce a substance known as Cytokines that fuels inflammation of the lungs and leads to rapid growth of cancer. The scientists in the study quote, ""Our research showed that versican which (is) produced by cancer cells induced inflammatory response and this whole process enhances metastasis. This simply says that blocking versican or blocking the inflammatory response can reduce the metastatic incidence. However, it is not that easy." The image on the left shows an example of how Metastasis occurs. The original tumor is located on the top left corner, and metastasizes to nearby blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and organs in the diagram. Once these tumors metastasize, they reproduce malignant or cancerous cells to form even newer tumors, thus spreading lung cancer.

They added, "Our work may be helpful in gaining a deeper understanding as to how advanced cancer cells usurp components of the host innate immune system to generate an inflammatory microenvironment hospitable for the metastatic spread of lung cancer. That, in turn, could result in a therapy to limit metastasis of lung cancer." Michael Karin said his team, "used a straightforward biochemical approach to identify proteins produced by metastatic cancer cells, which are responsible for generation of an inflammatory microenvironment that supports the growth of metastases. The team focused on macrophages, white blood cells that are key players in the immune response to foreign invaders as well as in cancer growth and progression, and screened for factors produced by metastatic cancer cells in mice that could stimulate the activity of this inflammatory cell type"

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