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Curbing Cancer’s Spread
11 June 2015

Curbing Cancer’s Spread

Scientists have shown that a protein called fascin is needed for cancer cells to spread to different parts of the body. This spread, or metastasis, is responsible for around 90% of cancer-related deaths. The researchers used cells from human and mouse tumours to show that when fascin (green) binds to the surface of the nucleus (purple) – the cell’s control centre – it allows the nucleus to move backwards slightly. The entire cell is then able to change shape and squeeze through small gaps between other cells, Maddy Parsons, who was involved in the research, told scientists at the Clinical Sciences Centre in West London this week. Without fascin, the cells can't squeeze into such small spaces. If scientists can develop drugs to block its action, they may be able to halt the spread of cancer.

Written by Deborah Oakley

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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