Providing a molecular 'sponge' for natural chemicals that make tumours grow could be a new approach to beating cancer.

Certain molecules produced naturally by the body have the ability to make cancer grow and spread. One of these is known as transforming growth factor - beta (TGF - beta). But first it has to get into cells via a protein on the surface called a receptor.

Researchers at the University of California are working on a way of immobilising TGF. They are making 'dummy' receptors, which bind to TGF but can't activate it. In mice with the dummy receptor, tumour sizes are dramatically decreased and cancer cells are less likely to spread.

In effect, the dummy receptor acts like a sponge, mopping up TGF before it can do damage. In these experiments, pancreatic cancers were stopped in their tracks. It's hoped that the new approach might be applicable to human pancreatic cancers, and maybe also other tumours.

Source

Molecular Cancer Therapeutics