According to recent experiments a molecule related to tetracycline can aid stop the spread of cancer cells. Researchers at the University of Iowa
According to recent experiments a molecule related to tetracycline can aid stop the spread of cancer cells. Researchers at the University of Iowa have been looking at a new drug called COL-3, which is related to the well-known antibiotic tetracycline. In a series of experiments, they find that COL-3 acts upon the tissue surrounding a tumour, making that tumour less likely to spread throughout the body.
COL-3 appears to block some of the chemical signals that come from an existing tumour that otherwise encourage cancer cells' movement throughout the surrounding tissue. It may be that COL-3 would be useful in conjunction with conventional anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells. Further research will reveal whether this new approach is applicable to the long-term management of human cancer.
