Inhibition of Lymph Hormone May Prevent Cancer from Spreading

Results published in the December 20, 2007, issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation revealed that these mice displayed the same characteristics as mice suffering from impaired lymphatic function. Lymph sacs that would normally absorb tissue fluids were reduced in size, and the sacs from the mutant mice were composed of fewer cells than normal. In this state the lymph system would be resistant to the spread of invasive cancers.

"In cancer treatments of the future, patients suffering from these aggressive cancers could be identified early and could be treated with a drug to inhibit the growth of the lymph vessels that transport the cancerous cells, thus keeping the cancer in check,” said senior author Dr. Kathleen M. Caron, assistant professor of cell and molecular physiology and genetics at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.”


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