Swiss study

Researchers discovered central cancer driver

Microscope image of skin cancer cells

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Dr_Microbe)

Early detection is a key factor in the fight against various types of cancer. Findings by Swiss researchers on signaling pathways between the affected cells could lead to a significant improvement in diagnoses.

The team from the University of Zurich has identified a signaling pathway that converts cells into aggressive tumor cells. The signaling pathway controls the transformation of the uppermost cell layer of skin and mucous membranes, the so-called epithelial cells. As the cancer progresses, the cells start their own program and become invasive, as the University of Zurich announced on Wednesday.

Microscope image of skin cancer cells

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Dr_Microbe)

Researchers: "Promising approach for treatment"
The discovery of these signal transmissions could help in the early detection and treatment of patients with skin, colon, bladder and esophageal cancer. "Our results suggest that targeting the cancer-specific arm of TNF-α signaling could be a promising approach for the treatment of patients with epithelial cancers," said team leader Ataman Sendöl from the Institute for Regenerative Medicine. 

The cancer-specific TNF-α signaling program correlates with the aggressiveness of the tumors: the more active it is, the lower the patient's chances of survival. The activity of the signaling program could also serve as a biomarker to assess the prognosis of patients with epithelial carcinomas.