tumor blood vessel

(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) Thyroid cancer that has spread to distant sites has a poor prognosis, but an experimental drug that inhibits tumor blood vessel formation can slow disease progression in some patients, a research team led by investigators from The University of Texas M.

D. Anderson Cancer Center reports in the July 3 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

(Ohio State University Medical Center) Viruses genetically designed to kill cancer cells offer a promising strategy for treating incurable brain tumors, but the body often eliminates the viruses before they can eliminate the tumor.

This animal study helps explain why this happens. The research shows that as the viruses destroy tumor cells, the cells release proteins that stimulate new blood-vessel growth to the tumor.

These vessels bring immune cells that eradicate the viruses and actually stimulate regrowth of the tumor.

Tumors require a blood supply to grow, but how this supply is acquired remains poorly understood. A study published in PLoS ONE shows that tumor blood vessels can develop from precancerous stem cells, a recently discovered type of cell that can either remain benign or become malignant.

Researchers say the findings provide new information about how tumors develop blood vessels, and why drugs designed to block tumor blood-vessel growth are often less effective than expected.