London, Oct 26: UK scientists have revealed that a molecule present in many spreading cancers has been identified as key to helping stem cells to become mobile.
According to a report in 'New Scientist' , a cancer vaccine based on the molecule has already been successfully undergone trial in humans and a "magic bullet" treatment is also in development.

As cancers grow, cells often move out of the original tumour and spread around the body using the blood or lymphatic system, a process called metastasis.

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These widespread cancers are especially difficult to treat. Now scientists have discovered that a surface molecule called 5T4, which is present in many different types of tumour, is also produced by embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This is done as the embryo grows and develops.


Peter Stern and colleagues, at Cancer Research UK 's Paterson Institute in Manchester , found the 5T4 produced by mouse ESCs made the cells spread across culture plates. "We think we've found a common factor in the movement of embryonic cells during development and of cancer cells during the spread of disease," he said.

"By studying fundamental developmental biology, the new study has highlighted a potentially exciting strategy to prevent cancer from spreading -- one of the great challenges faced by scientists," said Robert Souhami, director of clinical research at Cancer Research UK . Bureau Report