HealthMedical XpressInflammation can reactivate 'sleeping' cancer cells hidden in the bone
Researchers have found that inflammation from injury or infection elsewhere in the body can wake up dormant cancer cells hiding in the bone marrow.
The spread of cancer from a primary tumor to another place in the body, called metastasis, remains one of the greatest challenges in cancer treatment and is responsible for most cancer-related deaths.
Scientists at the Crick Institute developed a new mouse model to study how dormant metastatic breast cancer cells in bone marrow can be reactivated.
The research, published in Cell Reports, found that inflammation from conditions like intestinal colitis could trigger sleeping cancer cells to wake up.
The findings suggest that managing inflammation in the body could one day be key to preventing cancer relapse after the original tumour is treated.
The study found indirect inflammation, not just bone injury, can trigger dormant breast cancer cells to reactivate, so ask your GP about monitoring after treatment.
Five minutes for you
More from Cuppa
Some Google Pixel users say update is locking their phonesA Google Pixel software update is locking some users out of their phones, with some forced to factory reset their devices to regain access.
Taranaki earthquake: Strong magnitude 5.3 quake strikes near New PlymouthA magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck near New Plymouth in New Zealand's Taranaki region early this morning, shaking thousands of people across the North Island.
27-Year-Old Med Student With Cancer Shares ‘Concerning’ First SymptomsA 27-year-old US medical student shares how blacking-out vision and dark urine at age 22 turned out to be signs of an aggressive and rare bone marrow cancer.
Israeli soldiers describe mass killings of Palestinian civilians : NPRA new documentary by Israeli filmmakers features testimony from 24 Israeli soldiers describing the mechanics of airstrikes that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
New Paramount Warner Bros. Name is Skydance, David Ellison SaysThe merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery company will be called Skydance, named after founder David Ellison's original studio, while both legacy brands stay as sub-brands.
G7 announces oil reserve release, as Trump hails Europe diesel dealThe G7 will release 100 million barrels of strategic oil reserves over four months to ease soaring fuel prices caused by the US-Israel war with Iran.
I've seen nearly 500 executions - but never one like Christa Pike'sA Tennessee execution failed after inmate Christa Pike survived two full doses of lethal injection drugs, prompting the governor to halt all executions.
New Name of Paramount-Warner Bros. Unveiled: SkydanceThe Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger will trade under the name Skydance, combining HBO, CBS, CNN, Paramount+ and more into one giant entertainment company.