Tumor-secreted protein makes lung vessels leakier, promoting metastasis
A protein secreted by common cancer types makes blood vessels leakier to allow metastatic tumors to form in the lungs, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The discovery could lead to new ways of monitoring and reducing lung metastasis risk in cancer patients.
A protein found in tumor cells can make lung blood vessels more permeable, allowing cancer cells to spread to the lungs, according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Published in Nature Cancer, the findings could lead to new methods for monitoring and reducing the risk of lung metastasis in cancer patients.
The researchers identified a protein called integrin alpha-5 as the cargo in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) responsible for promoting lung blood vessel leakiness and metastasis in several types of cancer. High expression of integrin alpha-5 in tumor samples is associated with poorer survival in colorectal cancer patients.
The study suggests that blocking integrin alpha-5 may help reduce the risk of metastasis during cancer surgery.
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