Ovarian cancer cells (left) push their way through a layer of mesothelial cells, leaving a hole (right)MARCIN IWANICKI AND RACHEL DAVIDOWITZ HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
When an ovarian tumor begins to spread, its first targets are the other organs within the abdominal cavity, which are protected by a layer of epithelial cells known as the mesothelium. Now, scientists have discovered how ovarian cancer cells breach that barrier to create new tumors -- brute force. According to a study published online today (June 14) in Cancer Discovery, ovarian cancers use proteins involved in cellular movement to muscle their way past the cellular barrier.
“You can use the analogy of a snowplow,” said Ernst Lengyel, associate professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Chicago, who was not involved in the research. In essence, he said, the tumor cells shovel healthy mesothelial cells out of their way to get to underlying organs.
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